Ayacko should focus on Practical goals
Mr Ochillo Ayacko's insistence that Kenya can and should bid to host the 2016
Olympics is disgraceful. It is a clear case of grossly misplaced priorities. It
is akin to a parent buying the latest model car instead of feeding and clothing
his children. There is so much that is wrong with the sports scene in Kenya that
needs to be corrected, that the notion that Kenya should host the Olympics is
not only ridiculous but also upsetting.
It is upsetting to sports fans who have been waiting with bated breadth hoping
that the Kenya government will finally get its act together and come up with
ideas that will make Kenya a sporting power, and follow up by actually putting
those ideas into action. Kenya is badly crying out for competent sports
administrators. If the Minister in charge of sports shows such poor judgment
then how can Kenyans expect club officials and Federation officials to be any
better? Many would not mind seeing Mr Ayacko replaced by a thinking and
performing individual. A person with a real passion for sports and good ideas to
back it up. An action oriented person. Too bad there does not seem to be any
such individual out there.
What Kenyan sports fans expect from the Minister is to set realistic goals. A
good goal would be that Kenya should win ten gold medals come the 2016 Olympics.
And to reach that goal , the Minister should begin to put the structures in
place, For example by setting up schools that act as youth development centres,
where talented students are given scholarships and exposed to the best coaching
in addition to their academic studies. This can be funded with support from the
private sector. He should also propose laws that enforce transparency and
accountability from Sports Federation chairmen and club officials. And By
getting rid of officials such as Hardev Singh who has single handedly destroyed
hockey in Kenya.
That Mr Ayacko would expect the European Union to help fund Kenya's Olympic
bid to the tune of KSH 700 million goes to show that he does not have a firm
grip on reality. How will the EU fund Kenya's bid when we have much bigger
socio-economic problems that badly need funding ?
Mr Ayacko ought to apologize to Kenyans for turning our country into the
laughing stock of the Western media. He also ought to know that Kenyans are
tired of rhetoric and want to see concrete action taken. He also ought to know
that Kenya has had its fair share of white elephant projects and we simply
cannot afford them anymore.