Cherargei wants Kenya Basketball Federation management disbanded
By Rawlings, September 12, 2023
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei wants the current management of the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) disbanded for failure to steer the sport in the right direction.
This even as he trained his guns on Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba.
According to Cherargei the current leadership lacks transparency and accountability and should be removed from office.
Cherargei charged that the recent cancellation of the KBF activities including the premier league by the sports tribunal due to non-compliance shows failed leadership at the entity.
“The KBF has lacked transparency and accountability in its activities and management of sport,” Cherargei said.
On Monday, the lawmaker said the suspension of the league has seriously affected the players who depend on the league for their upkeep.
This, he added, has been worsened by the nonpayment of allowances and lack of rewards by the federation.
“Even despite the National Basketball Men’s Team (Morans) finishing second at the Inaugural FIBA AfroCan Tournament 2019 which showed their prowess, the players have never been rewarded,” he said.
Cherargei noted that on several occasions, the federation has failed to produce copies of audited accounts, nor have they filed tax returns with the Kenya Revenue Authority.
“We hereby call upon the Ministry of Sports to spearhead reforms KBF that will lead to disbandment of the entire officials,” Cherargei said.
In addition, Cherargei charged that the Ministry should call for elections at the federation to allow for a new breed of officials to run the entity.
Cherargei held that the federation has never held elections for the longest time, leaving the sports to be managed by the ‘same old tactics in the ever-evolving game.’
The legislators want the Federation to provide the latest audited accounts of all the funds allocated to it by the Ministry and other partners.
Cherargei held that KBF should develop a reward and allowance scheme for the players to motivate them (players) at all times.
“We hereby continue to call upon the Ministry of Sports, Youth Affairs and Culture to stop relenting on its core mandate of oversight federations that manage all sports activities in Kenya,” he said.