Federations, athletes cry foul over Ksh1b Government funds

Despite one billion shillings set aside by the Government to fund the activities and reward national teams, federations governing ‘fringe sports’ are accusing the Ministry of Sports Art and Culture of favoritism in dishing out the cash.

On Tuesday, the national Rollball men and women teams revealed they had to borrow Ksh450,000 from a local church to facilitate their participation in the Africa Championships in Uganda- an amount they are struggling to pay back as they embark on preparations for the Rollball World Cup next year in Malaysia.

Speaking to Citizen Digital Team Manager Musa Kaguli told of his delight in returning as African champions as he expressed optimism the Ministry that abandoned them ahead of the Kampala assignment would support them for the Malaysia assignment from February 15 to 21.

“With the money that our bishop gave us we were able to source for accommodation and meals for the players as well as the bus tickets to and from Uganda.

“Now we are organizing a fundraiser so that we can repay the church on Sunday at the Glory Outreach Assembly in Kahawa Wendani,” he explained.

“We had approached the Ministry earlier and they promised to fund us where they invited us for a flag-off ceremony where we were told to come following day for the money. When we went they told us that the Ministry does not have any money. We only had a few days left and had to make ends meet,” Kaguli lamented.

The Rollball teams represent the woes that disciplines outside Kenya’s big three sports of football, athletics and rugby go through to secure funding from the ministry.

World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight women’s champion, Fatuma Zarika is also in need of about Ksh10m out of the State funds to organise a re-match against Jamaican Alicia Ashley which is slated for February 24 in Nairobi to honour her obligations or she will be stripped off the title.

The money is to cover costs Ashley will incur on travel, accommodation, bout fees and hiring the venue.

Zarika is the first Kenyan woman to win the prestigious WBC title and to retain it she has to face Ashley for a re-match within three months of clinching the crown or risk forfeiting the belt.

“I’m not aware that there was money set aside but before I traveled to United States, I had approached the Ministry and Kenya Boxing Federation (KBF) for support. I was told there was no money and it really discouraged me to a point of quitting boxing.

“I approached someone who funded me but on condition that after the bout he takes back his money.  I had no choice but agree. I consider the funding a loan since I have to pay back each and every penny. To be honest there is nothing I can show off from my boxing career,” Zarika decried.

Veteran volleyball coach Paul Gitau is also bitter with the Ministry for playing cat and mouse with the KSh5m reward from the Presidential Award Scheme and other monies having led national women’s team Malkia Strikers B team to bagging the country’s first gold medal at the 11th All African Games in Congo Brazzaville last year.

“After the win we were to be given Ksh 5million from the presidential award scheme and local allowances for the 18 days we were in camp. We have never been paid the Ksh5m but they decided to pay the ladies for 10 days instead of the initial 18 days for local allowances.

“I have visited the ministry’s offices more than 30 times claiming the remaining dues. I have written all the letters they asked me to write but nothing has been fruitful to date.

“I wonder if the funds were only meant to reward athletes or is it because athletes go to the media and tell on them and its published and since the rest of us are voiceless we are overlooked.

“That is very unfair and embarrassing, because one feels like a beggar than appreciated for our hard work. As if that was not enough they said there’s the ministerial award where they gave each girl Ksh50,000 and again left out the technical bench.

“Kenya Volleyball Federation has written to them but nothing has been done.  If they paid us our monies it would make the girls feel appreciated for their hard work and patriotism,” Gitau charged.