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{
"id": 1558249,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1558249/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Sifuna",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13599,
"legal_name": "Sifuna Edwin Watenya",
"slug": "sifuna-edwin-watenya"
},
"content": "resilient campaign. With this victory, they have secured their place in the HSBC Challenger Playoffs, set for the first weekend of May, 2025 in Los Angeles, USA. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in March last year, I rose in this House under the same Standing Order to lament the deplorable treatment of the Lionesses by our sports authorities following their exclusion from the Africa Games in Accra, Ghana. Just one year later, through sheer determination, grit and belief, this same team, under the leadership of Coach Dennis Mwanja, who I am very proud to call my schoolmate, has quietly and effectively silenced doubters by delivering results on the global stage. Their resurgence should signal to us all that with deliberate investment and support, not just rugby, Kenyan sports as a whole can thrive. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as the team heads to Los Angeles for the playoffs on the 3rd and 4th May, 2025, they will be pursuing the coveted co-status in the HSBC World Rugby 7th Circuit. For those of us who have followed their journey, this is more than just a sporting ambition. It is actually a national dream. Based on their dominant performances, there is every reason to believe they are ready to take this next step. However, we must not be complacent. The players and technical team have done their part with great professionalism and commitment. It is now the country's turn to reciprocate with resolute and tangible support. As a committed supporter of the Kenyan Lionesses, I take this opportunity to rally national support for the team ahead of their upcoming playoffs. I urge the Kenyan Rugby Union, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, corporate sponsors and the general public to step up and invest in this team. The unfortunate tendency to favour foreign teams stems from deep-seated frustration with mismanagement and internal wrangles in local sports federations. I firmly believe that the success of the Lionesses can serve as a launch pad for a wider sports renaissance in Kenya. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as the Senator for Nairobi City C, our nation's capital where youth unemployment remains a pressing crisis, I am constantly reminded of the urgent need to develop sports as an alternative source of employment and opportunity. For this to happen, we need the national Government, county governments, federations and unions to do more. The Lionesses have given us a blueprint. A small team, working quietly with focus and unity, can achieve greatness without fanfare. We are a sports-loving nation. What we lack are the systems to nurture and elevate our talent and the time to act is now. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to congratulate coach Dennis Mwanja, the players and the entire support staff of the Kenya Lionesses for their brilliant performances. I reaffirm my personal commitment to support them however I can. Should they secure co-status in Los Angeles, I am confident their visibility will grow and the deserved support will follow. I am immensely proud to be associated with this team. The Lionesses are the pride of Kenya. They are going places and we shall be here to cheer them all the way."
}