B. OsanoAbabu demands accountability from federations in exchange for government support
Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 16.11.22. | 17:00
The new CS has started his duty with broad consultations among different players.
New Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba wants sports federations to be transparent and accountable in their dealings if they want government support.
He spoke during a meeting with representatives from all the sports bodies at the Kasarani Stadium on Wednesday, where he called for elimination of doping in sports.
"If Federations and Sportspersons want policy and financial support from the Government, they must accept to be transparent and to be held accountable. Let us eliminate doping, which poses a threat to the health of our sportspersons and Kenya's prestige and image."
CS @AbabuNamwamba has today held extensive talks with the sports federations of Kenya in a forum that brought together the leadership of Sports Federations, to consider ways and means to strengthen sports in Kenya. pic.twitter.com/UiB8nfDSu4
— Ministry Of Youth Affairs, Sports & The Arts (@moscakenya) November 16, 2022
Ababu, who oversaw the enactment of Sports Act 2012 rolled out a process of reviewing it in order to make it reflect the realities of modern sports management.
"Ababu Namwamba presented his Ministry's vision which includes stakeholder engagement on the immediate review of the Sports Act, 2012, to reflect the present realities in sports governance, while adopting best practice that strengthens Sports Governance," a statement from the ministry of sports reads.
The former lawmaker reiterated the importance of sports in fostering unity, "Sport is and shall always be a social and economic phenomenon which plays a key role in creating a cohesive society," he said.
On environmental sustainability,the CS committed to working with relevant stakeholders to raise awareness on the significant impact of sports, sport facilities and sport events on the environment, and the need to organize sporting events in a sustainable way. pic.twitter.com/3ScdzsXIVF
— Ministry Of Youth Affairs, Sports & The Arts (@moscakenya) November 16, 2022
Yet, he condemned ills such as Gender Based Violence, GBV, corruption, exploitation of players and doping, which has recently rocked the industry, threatening to soil Kenya's impeccable image in the world of sports.
"In the words of Nelson Mandela “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else can. Sport can awaken hope where there was previously only despair,” he added.
The CS is joined by PS @JoeOkudo, Secretary Administration Ms. Josephine Onunga, Sports Kenya DG Pius Metto among other dignitaries.#AbabuNaKazi pic.twitter.com/9EkEFMKaKm
— Ministry Of Youth Affairs, Sports & The Arts (@moscakenya) November 16, 2022
"We must address challenges of sexual and gender-based violence, exploitation of players, doping and corruption which have largely plagued the sector. If the Sports sector remains vulnerable to selfish interests, our hope of advancing prosperity through sport remains elusive."
Namwamba recently brokered a truce in football, allowing the new season to begin. The future of the game has been in limbo after his predecessor Ambassador Amina Mohammed disbanded the Football Kenya Federation, FKF Executive over alleged graft, a move that attracted FIFA suspension.
With the reinstatement of the office, FIFA is expected to lift the suspension this week.
