Former Cricket Kenya boss bails out stuck squad

Collins Obuya in past action with the national team [Courtesy]

Former Cricket Kenya (CK) boss Jackie Janmohammed yesterday bailed out the national cricket team with a Sh1.6 million donation in allowances ahead of the side’s departure to the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League Division three from November 9-19 in Oman.

The team had threatened to snub the ICC tournament due to the two-month unpaid salaries and allowances.

Speaking to journalists at the Nairobi Gymkhana yesterday, Janmohammed, who was accompanied by CK General Manager Josephat Muriithi, lamented over the tough times the players have endured.

“It is unfortunate to see what is happening to the players who depend on the sport for their upkeep. We must drop the ego fights and ensure our players are taken care of. As a friend of the sport and a concerned citizen, I saw it fit to raise some money alongside friends so that the team can travel because there would be sanctions if they failed to honour the fixtures,” Janmohammed said.

Janmohammed resigned from her role under unclear circumstances in February this year following the team’s dismal performance at the ICC World Cricket League Division two held in Namibia.

The team’s bowler Shem Ngoche urged his colleagues to put up a good show in Oman as they seek a return to the Second Division following their relegation early this year.

“This is important for us and we need to go out and do our best. It has been a difficult few months and indeed our morale was low. All we need to do is keep our feet on the ground and deliver. We are thankful for the financial boost from somebody who cares and understands our sport,” Ngoche said.

The team departs for Oman today without head coach Maurice Odumbe who was dropped. In his absence, assistant coach Lameck Onyango has been tasked with leading the side.