Nyamweya blasts mourning FKF over Chan loss

Former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Sam Nyamweya led the chorus of criticism of the federation after Kenya lost a bid to host the 2018 African Nation Championship(CHAN).

Nyamweya lashed at the FA leadership, after their statement that followed the decision of  the Africa’s football apex body CAF , to strip Kenya of the Rights to host the  2018 tournament.

In a statement released to media houses, FKF  chose to hail  those who had done “a good job” in as far  hosting the competition is concerned , but an irked Nymweya would hear none of it.

“Kenya will never host any CAF or FIFA tournament  in  the  next 50 years  because  of inept  persons. I brought  it (CHAN), but they  have  strangled  the  child,” Nyamweya charged, adding,” “The  federation  is squarely  responsible and not the government.  The government  does  not run football.  They don’t  even know  the  calendar  of CAF and FIFA events. It is up to  the federation to push the  government.  Shame on them. The best  thing for them is to resign. This is a public  embarrassment,” fumed Nyamweya.

Former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Sam Nyamweya and his successor Nick Mwendwa address the media during the national elections held at the Safaricom Stadium Kasarani in Nairobi, Kenya on February 10, 2016.
Former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Sam Nyamweya and his successor Nick Mwendwa address the media during the national elections held at the Safaricom Stadium Kasarani in Nairobi, Kenya on February 10, 2016.

FKF’s boss  Nick Mwendwa had vowed to resign if Kenya failed to host CHAN, but of late he seems to have had a change of heart .A day-long meeting of the CAF Executive Committee in Accra, Ghana on Saturday, bore the decision , a repeat of the 1996 shame when Kenya gave away the hosting rights of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) to South Africa due to unpreparedness.

“The federation is of the view that it did everything humanly possible to ensure that CHAN 2018 became a reality both to Kenyans and the entire East African Region,”Mwendwa said in a statement released by the FA’s Communications Manager Barry Otieno late on Saturday after Kenya lost the rights.

‘Unfortunately, lack of up-to standard infrastructure to host the competition and the need to improve the existing ones, meant that Kenya would inevitably play second fiddle to better placed countries that have invested heavily on infrastructure development over the years,” read part of the statement.

“The decision, though unfavorable to Kenya as a whole, marks a new dawn for Kenyan football in particular and sport in general due to the ongoing infrastructure development that endeavors to ensure that the country has at least four modern stadiums and a number of training pitches, key in developing the game going forward,”Mwendwa added.

Zambian based Harambee Stars players Anthony Akumu (L), Jesse Were (C) and David Owino arrive at Aeroporto Internacional Osvaldo Viera in Bissau, Guinea Bissau on March 22, 2016. Kenya plays host Guinea Bissau in their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match. Photo/Stafford Ondego/www.sportpicha.com
Zambian based Harambee Stars players Anthony Akumu (L), Jesse Were (C) and David Owino arrive at Aeroporto Internacional Osvaldo Viera in Bissau, Guinea Bissau on March 22, 2016. Kenya plays host Guinea Bissau in their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match. The ban is a blow to Kenyan players who had hoped to showcase their talent in the competition.Photo/Sportpicha.

Ironically, the federation went on to thank Sports Cabinet Secretary  Hassan Wario among other stakeholders for “working tirelessly” to ensure that the CHAN dream became a reality’.

Wario has been conspicuously missing in all CHAN related events lately, with Kenyans raising questions over his commitment to have  Kenya host the event.

Make amends

“Special thanks goes to CAF president Mr. Ahmad Ahmad and members of his technical team that traversed the country on numerous inspection visits, the Kenyan government for its unwavering goodwill signified by the recent cabinet approval of Ksh 4.2 billion earmarked for the preparation of the tournament.

“Others include Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ambassador Hassan Wario, his Principal Secretary Ambassador Kirimi Kaberia, CHAN 2018 LOC members led by FKF CEO Robert Muthomi and Events Director Herbert Mwachiro, all Kenyans of goodwill that believed in Kenya’s ability to see the tournament to its logical end and FA presidents that supported our bid to host the same,” read the release.

FKF however hopes to make amends and host a CAF event in the near future, despite the sanctions that await Kenya from CAF for the failure.

“We would like to state that its resolve and commitment to change the game for the better remains stronger and will take positives from the CAF decision, this even as we continue to engage the CAF leadership on the possibility of hosting both upcoming and future CAF competitions,” the federation said.

 

 

 

 

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kenya FKF CAF Nyamweya loss FKF President Nick Mwendwa CHAN

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