Kenyan Senator Samson Cherargei has lashed out at the decision by the Kenya National Sports Council to send a drastically reduced contingent to the upcoming All African Games in Accra, Ghana.
Cherargei criticized the council’s recent circular advising federations like Athletics Kenya to scale down teams, citing financial constraints as the rationale behind the cut.
Addressing the press at Parliament Buildings on Tuesday, the Nandi county senator called on the council to reverse course and allow the full squad of 259 athletes (128 men and 131 women) to represent Kenya at the continental event scheduled for April.
“Such actions will harm and lower the morale of our athletes, considering some of them use this platform as an opener to greater championships in the world,” he said.
“We hereby wish to remind the council that its major role is to facilitate the success of Team Kenya, and no dream of our athletes shall be doomed due to poor planning by the officials.”
The directive has sparked a standoff, with Athletics Kenya pushing back against a 50% reduction from the 2019 Games in Rabat to just 35 slots.
Athletics Kenya is set to name its final squad on Wednesday after a two-day trial.
The vocal legislator argued that Kenya, as the “home of athletics” with globally renowned stars, has no justification to limit participation at Africa’s biggest sporting event. He highlighted Kenya’s prowess across track, field and road events.
“Kenya has produced several teams including the Malkia Strikers that have represented Africa in several world championships,” Cherargei said, underscoring the nation’s athletic pedigree.
While Athletics Kenya’s Paul Mutwii had cited financial difficulties as necessitating the downsizing, Cherargei insisted federations must explore alternative funding sources and sponsorships to ensure maximum Kenyan representation.
“Besides, non-preparedness of any nature must not be entertained considering this will be the first time for Kenya to send only a few athletes to the All African Games,” he stated firmly.
“Kenya has produced several teams including the Malkia Strikers that has represented Africa in several world championships.
The 13th African Games are scheduled to take place from March 8th to March 23rd, 2024 in Accra, Ghana. It is a major multi-sport event held every four years and organized by the African Union (AU) and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA).
