Raila wants sports to resume
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has called on the Government to allow resumption of football as is the case with many foreign countries.
The former Premier who was speaking yesterday at a partnership deal between Two Rivers Mall and Gor Mahia Football Club argued that with proper conditions set, football should be back soon so that footballers can get back their livelihoods.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed lifted the ban on selected sports disciplines last month, but ordered the continued suspension of football and other disciplines like rugby, volleyball, basketball, swimming, chess and boxing, terming them high risk sports.
Raila who is also the Club’s patron suggested that the Sports Ministry should come up with urgent plans of return to football and at the same time urged corporates to support the local clubs.
“I want to urge the Sports Ministry to consider the resumption of football in the country just like we are witnessing in European countries and many African countries, whereby even fans are now being allowed into the stadiums.
At the same time, the government must also facilitate development of stadiums across the country and corporates also chip in with sponsorships to teams,” he said.
He added: “In this way, we will see local football grow massively and offer many youths employment as it is a multi million industry.”
Yesterday’s partnership deal will see Gor use the facilities at the Two Rivers Sports District.
Raila warned that if the Business Community did not come through for sports in the country then the spirit of development will die especially for community clubs. He pledged support towards the Club’s Champions League kitty.
Speaking during the function, Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier lauded the deal and said it would greatly help the club in it’s training.
“We have not had a proper training ground and with this new partnership we can now be able to train well and professionally.
We have trained at this facility for two months now and finally to seal such a deal that gives us access to other facilities is a plus for us,” he said.
