Sports CS Namwamba Shifts Blame on Poor Sports Facilities to Uhuru Govt
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba attributed the sorry state of stadiums in the country to the previous administration, expressing his dissatisfaction during an inspection of the ongoing construction at Bukhungu Stadium.
He emphasized that sports facilities nationwide had been neglected for over four decades, leading to significant deterioration.
Namwamba highlighted the necessity for improvement, citing the Football Kenya Federation’s decision to arrange a World Cup qualifier for Harambee Stars in Malawi due to the inadequate state of facilities domestically.
He pointed out the prolonged negligence towards sports infrastructure, asserting that substantial investment had been absent for an extended period.
Namwamba criticized the state of renowned stadiums like Nyayo and Kasarani, labeling attempts to construct new facilities as ineffective endeavors.
Despite being labeled as international, several stadiums in Kenya failed to meet FIFA’s standards, according to the CS.
Namwamba had previously assured the public that the government would refurbish Nyayo Stadium to meet the required standards for hosting games by June 2024.
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However, the decision to have the national team play in Malawi has drawn criticism, reflecting perceived shortcomings in government planning and readiness.
Namwamba’s announcement came in response to concerns raised by Kenyan athletes, who threatened to boycott the upcoming Olympic trials if not held at a World Athletics-certified venue.
With Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums undergoing renovation and being the only World Athletics-accredited venues, Athletics Kenya faces a dilemma in selecting an appropriate venue for the trials scheduled for June 14-15.
The athletes objected to holding the Olympic qualifiers at the Ulinzi Complex, which lacks World Athletics certification for its tracks.
Any timings recorded during races at Ulinzi would not count towards Olympic qualification, jeopardizing athletes’ chances of participation in the games scheduled for July to August this year.
As the June 30 qualification deadline approaches, athletes fear being excluded from the Olympics due to the lack of suitable venues for official trials.
Sports CS Namwamba Shifts Blame on Poor Sports Facilities to Uhuru Govt
