Take care of sports legends, Raila tells counties

ODM party leader Raila Odinga has asked all county governments to set aside special funds to cater for all sports legends in the country.

Raila criticised the apparent negligence of sports legends in the country who, he said, are only recognised when dead, after living miserably in their retirement

The Cord principal said it was embarrassing for the national government to neglect those who placed the country high on the international sports world and let them languish in abject poverty in their retirement age.

Speaking during the funeral service of a football legend and former Harambee Stars assistant coach and Gor Mahia coach James Siang’a, Raila appealed to counties to ensure legends’ welfare is looked into while still alive.

Raila at the same time challenged the Jubilee Government to streamline the Ministry of Sports to give it the mandate to cater for sportsmen and women.

Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga lauded Raila’s sentiments promising to ask members of county assembly to form a special kitty for sports legends.

The governor said he would embark on a mission to identify sports legends in the county and ensure they are well catered for.

Raila’s call comes hot on the heels of public outcry over the alleged mishandling of the Kenyan team at the Rio Olympics in Brazil.

Gladys Wanga, an MP in Homabay County lashed at the Jubilee Government for what she termed as breeding corruption in every sector.

Wanga said the government should tell Kenyans where is Ksh25 million that was supposed to take care of athletes in Rio disappeared to, forcing them to sleep in shanty hotels.