Support us unreservedly, Olunga tells Government

Harambee Stars striker Michael Olunga has pleaded with the Government to give a befitting financial support to national teams, flying Kenya’s flag in international competitions.

Seemingly concerned with the ugly war of words between the Ministry of Sports and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) regarding unpaid hotel bills for the team during their African Cup of Nations qualifier in Egypt, Olunga cried for respect to athletes.

Despite off-the-field challenges, the Kashiwa Reysol goal poacher on Thursday helped Stars launch their 2021 African Cup of Nations qualifier race in style scoring the lone goal to earn Stars a one-all draw in Alexandria.

Two week ago, sports federations led by their heads laid open their grievances occasioned by lack of timely and adequate funding from the Ministry, when they appeared before the Parliamentary Sports Committee.

“The government supported us fully during the AFCON and I hope they continue supporting us in future and not football alone but also in other sports which deserve the government’s support,” Olunga said moments after the group G opening qualifier tie.

Olunga’s sentiments were echoed by team captain Victor Wanyama who also called for calm among his teammates, amidst simmering heat between the federation and the Ministry.

“We are focused on our opponents (Egypt) because we want to start the qualification race on high note. My teammates are ready for the match and we will do our best,” the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder said before the Egypt clash.

This comes in the back drop of key players including Olunga and Wanyama, being asked to fly economy class for the Egypt and Togo ties; against the norm of the business class status they are always accorded.

The tug-of-war between the Sports Principal Secretary Peter Kaberia and the FKF boss Nick Mwendwa has recently intensified with Mwendwa accusing the PS of blatantly overlooking the football national teams in terms of funding, while the latter argues the federation has failed to produce an audit of the funds granted by the government.

When the federations appeared before the committee chaired by Machakos Town Member of Parliament Victor Munyaka, the federation chiefs expressed their anger due to what most referred to as lack of goodwill from the Ministry to support sports.

Meanwhile, Harambee Stars jet back in the country on Saturday 3pm from Egypt ahead of the second group match against Togo set for Monday 7pm at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani.

Tags:

kenya Nick Mwendwa Michael Olunga government Victor Wanyama Victor Munyaka PS Peter Kaberia

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