‘Enemies of progress are praying for our 2027 AFCON to fail,’ Ababu says as he celebrates achievements
By Vincent Voiyoh, October 30, 2023Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ababu Namwamba says he feels sorry for some people who are praying so hard for Kenya to fail in the hosting of the 2027 African football extravaganza (AFCON).
Ababu has guaranteed the nation that the 2027 edition of the African Cup of Nations will be staged in the cities of Nairobi, Kampala and Tanzania despite the skepticism that has surrounded the process from first stage of showing interest to winning the bid.
The industrious minister has termed the people who are waiting for Kenya to be stripped off the hosting rights as ‘kamati ya roho chafu’ (enemy of progress).
“Kamati ya roho chafu are praying for AFCON 2027 to be taken away from us like in 1996 and CHAN 2018. I am sorry to disappoint you. 2027 is going nowhere and will be hosted in Nairobi, Kampala and Dar Es Salam. Our facilities will be ready,even our support facilities in Eldoret, Kisumu, Kakamega and Nairobi will be ready because AFCON is one of our proudest milestones in this first year in office for this administration,” Ababu said.
CS Ababu was speaking at the Kasarani Indoor Arena as he led the celebration to mark one year in office.
The one-year jollification was culminated with the unveiling of the Talanta Hela Digital Hub at the Kasarani Stadium.
The Talanta Hela App will see thousands of talented youths across the country upload their skillful 1-3 minutes video clips for considerations and placements at the Kenya Academy of Sports if they appeal the selectors.
The former Budalangi member of parliament highlighted some of the ministry’s success stories during his 12- month tenure for youths,the arts and sports.
Some of the things that the minister pride himself in is the 2027 African Cup of Nations co-hosting rights, lifting of FIFA suspension on November 2022 which was one of his first agenda upon taking charge of the ministry.
Another success story has been averting a potential suspension from World Athletics last year due doping menace in the country.
The government successfully had conversations with World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe and committed a whopping sh 3.75b for a period of five years to tackle the doping cancer and save the image of the country that has dominated the sport since the days of the great Kipchoge Keino and Kiprugut Chumo.
The most recent achievement is the return of Kenyan swimmers to international competition after the World Aquatics reinstated the country after a prolonged suspension.
“We inherited a sinking ship.We inherited what we can describe as a neglected and rudderless youths,the arts and sports scene which had become dispirited and disfunctional. You could see it and feel it,” Ababu grinned.
Although the impact is yet to be felt,the Ministry of Sports says it has a clear picture of infrastructure development,having sketched a masterplan to ameliorate Kenya’s sporting facilities.
Ababu has vowed that no Kenyan team will play on a foreign land because of lack of a facility of the standards required by FIFA and CAF.
“We have been able to put together something that this country should have done 60 years ago.We did in this one year.We put together the Sports and Creatives infrastructure masterplan. Kenyana want to see good facilities and I am proud of this masterplan because now when you see us build a facility it will be logically,well thought and reasoned.
“Our teams will continue to play on our Kenyan soil.No Kenyan team that will ever suffer the odium and shame of playing on foreign land.Not under the watch of the Kenya Kwanza administration.”
Sensational Faith Kipyegon and brilliant long distance runner Kelvin Kiptum have been the first beneficiary of the State’s award of Sh 5 million for world records.
The Ministry says it has also improved allowances for Kenya’s sports men and women when they train and head into competitions up to 200 dollars per day.
The rewards scheme has been mapped and every gold medalists in international competitions are entitled to getting a state appreciation of Sh1 million, with silver medalists getting sh 2m and sh 1 m for bronze medalists.
Ababu now says the ministry has a clear direction after first year in office setting base. All said and done,a lot is still expected from the vocal minister especially how he handles and hastens the works in readiness for the 2027 AFCON.Following her third world half marathon title, Jepchirchir’s performance in New York will provide the next indication as to whether a second Olympic title is on the horizon. With a good run, Jepchirchir may move one step closer to retaining her crown.