HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 1563565,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1563565/?format=api",
"text_counter": 300,
"type": "other",
"speaker_name": "",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "places as far as Migori and Kisii to participate in the National Super League. Unfortunately, they are cash-strapped and lack funding. As we work to entrench the culture of academies in our country, it is essential that we guarantee funding to these clubs. I thank you, Sen. Eddy Oketch, for your very enriching contributions. For your information, my brother, I was on Thika Road keenly following the discourse in this House because I knew I might be required to reply. Therefore, I took it upon myself to listen to the conversations. To be frank, we had not considered modern football academies as they exist in London, Spain, Germany and other developed nations. Our initial thought was simply to draft a law that would secure the place of an academy in our local areas. This is to ensure we have a platform where young, sports-talented men and women in this country could have a place to showcase their talent, a place that is readily available, equipped with the necessary facilities, technical expertise in the form of coaches, and, most importantly, a place where scouts could identify football and sports talent. Sen. Eddy, the idea is simply to guarantee a dedicated space instead of waiting for tournaments such as the Sen. Alan Chesang’s or the Sen. Mungatana’s Super Cup. This, in my view, merely politicize sports rather than addressing real talent and opportunities in the sporting world. I thank you for construing this Bill as one that speaks to the establishment of football academies that function as clubs. We had not initially viewed it from that line of thought. However, I assure you, we must begin somewhere. That starting point is embedded in the very nature of this Bill. I appreciate the valuable line of amendments you have proposed. However, in the interest of time, allow me to proceed with the Bill as it is. I understand that laws are never made in finality. You will have the opportunity to push forth amendments in due course. Additionally, you may have noticed that the Government, through the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, led by my able governor emeritus, the Hon. Salim Mgala Mvurya, has already gone ahead with launching sports academies countrywide. In fact, during my conversation with the sports mandarins in the Ministry, I was informed that the plan is to establish these academies in every constituency. While we are currently discussing county sports academies, the Government has seen the need to further devolve them to the constituency level. This move will speak heavily on funding and matters management of the same. It will also speak heavily on matters running sports academies in the counties. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I wish to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed to this Bill. We do not take your contributions for granted. I know Members have spoken about enriching this particular Bill. It is my sincere hope, belief and trust that as a House, we will consider those wonderful and amazing amendments, so that we make this particular law proactive and aggressive in nature, but more importantly efficient and lean on implementing the same. We do not just want to legislate laws that become problematic when it comes to implementing, especially when we are strained as county governments. I understand that The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}