Sports stakeholders laud Raila Odinga’s Manifesto proposals on sports development
Local sports administrators have lauded the Manifesto of the Azimio-One Kenya Alliance Coalition Party presidential contender Raila Odinga which was launched on Monday in Nairobi.
The document has a full-page detailing the commitment by the former Prime Minister’s vision on sports development in the country as an important hub, especially for job creation. Under the title Sports Industries; the document highlights opportunities and commitment that can boost the industry with a value of Sh 10 billion. The document focuses a lot on areas of talent development, sports enterprise, facility investment and also policy creation.
Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) president Waithaka Kioni hailed the document as an important antidote to cure the sports industry that has suffered a lot of challenges in the past.
“I want to congratulate the Azimio team for coming up with a good document and especially laying emphasis on the sports sector. The proposals are good and visionary in my view and I hope if Azimio wins, they can implement them. We all know how sports has been a difficult terrain for most of us, so it is reassuring to read the good ideas like the proposed establishment of a Sports Business Council to help promote sporting activities and also the noble plan of establishing a County Sports Development Center,” Kioni said.
He added: “Some of these initiatives should be driven by the County Governments with facilitation and goodwill from the National Government. I really like the policy statement particularly the idea of an Athlete Retirement Scheme and also zero rating of sports equipment.”
Former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Sam Nyamweya praised the document as forward driven and a solution for most sport problems.
“It is a timely document and we can only appreciate the input on it. I love the fact that for the first time, a top contender is making sports a priority and therefore I want to wish them well as they seek to change the face of sports,” he said.
Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Thomas Odundo referred to the manifesto as a step in the right direction.
He said: “It looks good but the key issue will be actualization. I hope the proponents have this in mind because it is what will separate talk from reality. The proposal of having Excellence Centers across the 47 counties is welcome but maybe the challenge will probably be the technical capacity to implement this.”
