Boost for Sports as Ministry gets increased allocation in National Budget

Treasury CS Ukur Yatani presents 2022/2023 budget at the Parliament buildings, Nairobi  . April 7th,2022 [Elvis Ogina,Standard]

There is new hope for Sports after The Treasury on Thursday proposed the allocation of Sh15.8 billion to the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund for the upcoming financial year 2022-2023.

This was an upward revision by 800 million, from the preceding 2021-2022 which saw Sh15 billion allocated.

In 2020, the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund enjoyed another big increase from Sh14 billion to Sh15 billion.

Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Planning, Ukur Yatani while tabling the National Budget also proposed Sh.125 million for the refurbishment of regional stadiums.

“To further support sports development and tourism recovery, I have proposed an allocation of Ksh 15.8 billion for the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund; Ksh 3.2 billion for the Tourism Fund; Ksh 1.8 billion for Tourism Promotion Fund; and Ksh 125 million for the refurbishment of the regional stadia,” he said.

Among the regional stadiums that have been under construction or renovations recently include Kamariny Stadium in Elgeyo Marakwet, Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Uasin Gishu, Ruring’u Stadium in Nyeri, and Wote Stadium in Makueni.

With major sporting events lined up later this year, like the Commonwealth Birmingham 2022 Games and World Athletics Championships, this is a major boost to the Ministry of Sports as it rolls its sleeves to prepare the Kenyan athletes.

However, to discourage gambling in the country, Yattani imposed a 15 per cent excise duty on fees charged by all television stations, print media, billboards, and radio stations for advertisements for these activities.