Lack of funds locks Kenya out of Accra games

Kenya will not be at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations hockey championship in Accra owing to lack of funds and the government says it is not aware of the problem.

Kenya Hockey Union failed to get a response from the Ministry of Sports and the National Olympic Committee of Kenya, from whom they expected partial funding for the championship, said its secretary, Peter Kiruma. KHU had budgeted for Sh11 million for two teams and was hoping to take a young squad to the July 10th to 18th games.

Gordon Oluoch, the Commissioner of Sports, however said he was not aware of KHU’s decision to pull out of the competition. Most sports associations do not follow up their budgets. I cannot remember, off-head, what the budget was. There is need to work together through a budget,” he said.

The Sports Commissioner said KHU should involve the ministry in their planning. “It is good if we put our heads together. As we speak, I am not sure whether the budget was forwarded to the Sports Secretary at the Minister’s office. I have not seen any KHU official in recent times,” Oluoch explained.

In good time

But according to Kiruma, the budget was forwarded to the ministry in good time. The Accra competition will be used as a qualifier for the 2010 World Championships. They will also be used to rank countries and earn them possible inclusion in the next Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India.

Meanwhile, KCA University have changed their mind and will be going to Kampala, Uganda, for the East Africa Club championships. They will join USIU and Blue Eaglets for the week-long tournament.