The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts nominee Ababu Namwamba has acknowledged that the current state of sports in the country is wanting and he would push for the restoration of the lost glory of the sector should he be approved by the National Assembly.
Speaking on Friday during the ongoing vetting exercise, the former Budalangi Member of Parliament said he would consult widely in a bid to make the local sports sector a vibrant business that is a big employer and revenue earner across the world.
“I have a fairly good view of the sporting terrain and I am not under any illusion as to the state of this terrain at this moment. If cleared to occupy this office, I will first start with clearing the mess in sports ranging from the FIFA ban, doping currently ravaging Athletics, and the lack of a proper pension scheme for sportsmen among others. We cannot continue running Sports and the Arts as a sideshow, this is something which you should know you can live from it fully and be able to take care of yourself” he said
The professional lawyer and advocate of the high court who served in the previous Jubilee administration as Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs returns to the sports docket having been in charge from 2012 to 201 during the grand coalition government
The 46-year-old outspoken politician said he will keenly listen to the local stakeholders of the sport during his first 100 days in office, regarding challenges facing the game and possible remedy mechanisms.
” In my first 100 days in office, I want to do a lot of listening. I want to listen to federations, sports people themselves and stakeholders so that together we can draw a road map to return sports to the status it belongs” added the former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General
Should Namwamba’s nomination be approved by the Parliament, he will take over from Amina Mohammed, who has been in charge of the docket since March 2019
His immediate priority will be to ensure that Kenya’s suspension by the world football governing body, Fifa is lifted.
Fifa suspended Kenya from its activities on February 24 following government interference in the management of football in the country
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