‘Select players on merit’ – Namwamba challenges federations after Shujaa’s triumphant return to HSBC World Series
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has challenged sports federations to ensure they select players on merit for national teams.
Namwamba made the comments as he praised Shujaa, who fought hard and earned their ticket back to the World Series after a heartbreaking relegation last year. To the CS, if selections are done on merit, the teams will achieve greatness.
The former Budalangi Member of Parliament said Shujaa's performance is something that must be emulated by others and said their return to the HSBC World Circuit was one based on merit.
“I want to challenge any other federation that the magic of performing is doing the right thing, being accountable, transparent, and fair.
“I have watched these boys (the Shujaas) and how they have been identified and selected, and if there is one sporting discipline that lives up to the merit rules, then this team has been the example. In every federation in this country, if you select Kenyan teams on merit, even our football team will play at the World Cup.
"This should be done without bothering with the sound of someone’s surname, the region they come from, or those little things that divide our people. Ignore those things and make the selections meritoriously, and any team you build will fly. Shujaa surely is a team built on merit,” Namwamba said.
Odongo lauded
Patrick Odongo, the Kenya Sevens star boy, caught the eye of the vocal minister, who said there is no limitation in sourcing or searching for talents in the country.
“If you look hard enough and search enough, you will identify talents. Look at the example of Patrick Odongo; this boy does not play in the top-tier rugby league in the country. He plays for Daystar University, which is a Division 2 team, but he is already starring for Kenya.
"That is to tell you that if you establish a pipeline of how to identify and nurture them (players), they will thrive, and they will make Kenya proud," he added.
Athletics Kenya, the Kenya Basketball Federation, and the National Olympic Committee of Kenya were among the federations that attended the function led by the CS, who gave them the challenge of ensuring merit is the guiding principle in their operations.
Namwamba tipped the Kenya Sevens to extend their exemplary show to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, which are just 49 days away.
The team was awarded Ksh5.7 million after earning promotion to the rugby sevens top-tier.
