Hasten reforms to get Harambee competing
By Editorial.Team, May 30, 2022The coveted Fifa World Cup trophy arrived in the country with pomp. From the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi to State House, the fanfare was there for everyone to see.
Senior government officials, including Sports CS Amina Mohamed, Tourism CS Najib Balala, their Industrialisation counterpart Betty Maina, and the Nairobi Governor Anne Kananu were present when the plane carrying the trophy touched down in Nairobi.
Brazilian football legend Juliano Belleti presented to Kenyans the 18-carat golden trophy, which is considered the most expensive and significant in modern-day sport. President Kenyatta was the only Kenyan who was allowed to lift the trophy with a multitude of Kenyans queuing to have their photos taken next to it at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre the following day.
However, the enthusiasm written on many football fans who were following the events was replaced with shock. Kenya has in the past made many attempts to compete in the World Cup but so far, those attempts have come to naught due to a variety of reasons. Many excuses have also been given for Harambee Stars’ failure to qualify for the tournament, including poor preparation, lack of tactical oomph and lacklustre management.
This year, however, the country is out of international competitions because of sleaze that resulted in the national team’s suspension from international matches. The courts made a judgment on a case challenging the suspension of the Football Kenya Federation, an act that prompted the suspension, and it put the blame on managers of the sport. These men and women are in court charged with various offences. However, one charge they may not face in court is killing the hope of a nation; deferring the dreams of a generation to showcase their talent and hopefully make it to the global stage.
Countries will troop to Qatar later in the year to compete and win in their national colours, a patriotic endeavour Kenyans will not get as long as mismanagement of the sport continues. The football federation is to blame for this morass. We call on the government and stakeholders to expedite reforms in the sport so that Kenyans can be part of the global community once again. That is why Kenyan football belongs. It is unthinkable that millions who depend on the sport are missing out just because of the ban whose cause can be addressed in the short term.