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{
    "id": 1462275,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1462275/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 123,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Sifuna",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13599,
        "legal_name": "Sifuna Edwin Watenya",
        "slug": "sifuna-edwin-watenya"
    },
    "content": "What is it that happens between talent at the grassroots and them being able to make it all the way to the national stage and even international stage? You heard the story of the runner from Makueni. We have frustrated our own people. I cannot begrudge anybody who will want to go and look for opportunity elsewhere for as long as you are able to express your talent. To this effect, I want to beg Members of this House; I have sponsored a Bill to amend the Sports Act. Initially, the Sports Act was supposed to bring some sort of cure to some of the problems we have identified. We were supposed to build academies in all the constituencies to support sporting activities at that level. It has never been done. Immediately those who were in power then saw how much money was actually being realized in the Sports Fund, out of sports betting, they decided to introduce things that have nothing to do with sports. On application of the Fund, they introduced this thing of using money for universal healthcare and that is where the problem is. I have sponsored an amendment to the Sports Act and it was read for the First Time here yesterday; that each county must set aside at least 1 per cent of the money that this Senate gives them to support registered sporting associations. This idea was triggered by an experience that I have had, and I am sure every Member in this House has had. Every time the Nairobi Boxing Association has a tournament in Kirinyaga or Vihiga, they come to my office asking me to support them with mundane things such as just transport to the venue. They have no money to hire training halls and they have no money to pay referees. So, we want at least 1 per cent of the money that this Senate sends to counties to be set aside to support these sporting associations. We believe that at that particular level, we should support them, so that they come up. Lastly, if we do not deal with the question of corruption and favouritism in even selection of the national teams, we are doing this country a disservice. You go and watch these games at the grassroots, you watch grassroots football, you watch the high school games, you can see a player, a midfielder who can receive a pass, put his head up, look for somewhere to pass the ball and that person just disappears within the system. You go to the Nyaya Stadium to watch Harambee Stars and you are wondering, a guy cannot even make one pass and he is playing for Harambee Stars. We used to have very low standards when we used to go to the Nyayo Stadium to say we do not want to score; can we just see three good passes and go home happy? The bar has been set so low. So, we need to see what is it that happens when these national coaches are selecting people. There are allegations of favouritism and the most frustrating thing is you cannot even touch the management of football in this country. Immediately we say we want to disband Football Federation of Kenya (FKF) and have fresh elections, they run to their daddy in Switzerland. You get a call from Switzerland telling you if you interfere with the current management, we are going to ban Kenya for X number of years. It is very frustrating for us, especially soccer fans who know there is talent in this country that just goes to waste. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir."
}