Namwamba: I'm sorry it had to get to this

Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Sports CS Ababu Namwamba has said that for Kenya's sports to grow, federations must change their way of doing things.

Even as Kenya national Sevens rugby team Shujaa hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons, Namwamba promised the playing unit that they will get their dues ahead of their World Rugby Series outing.

"I apologise to Kenyans for what has happened. We did not have to get to this. The sports federations need to have strict ways of how to handle their respective teams," said Namwamba.

Shujaa resorted to begging for funds from Kenyans ahead of the second leg of the 2022-2023 World Rugby Sevens Series set for Dubai this coming weekend.

Kenya is set to face Hong Kong Sevens champion Australia, South Africa and Great Britain in Group A of Dubai Sevens due for December 2 to 3 at the Sevens Stadium.

Considered as one of the country's assets on the global stage, the Shujaa players have come out to reveal how a lack of finances is currently threatening to kill the game.

According to senior players William Ambaka and Billy Odhiambo, Shujaa have not been paid their dues for the past three months making their lives unbearable both on and off the field.

"Greetings to the Kenya Sevens family," Ambaka said on his Twitter handle.

As some of you may have heard, we are now going on our third month without pay. Our lives have been greatly strained, even in our persistent effort to give you the desired outcomes on the pitch."

"Our desperate situation has now forced us to turn to you, our global community, to help us in raising funds," said Ambaka, adding thar the money will be split among players.

KRU boss Oduor Gangla yesterday said they have been facilitating teams for international tournaments without any source of funding as they rely on corporate partners, Friends of Simbas, World Rugby and at times, the Ministry of Youth affairs, Sports, and Arts.