Team play, tact will work well for new CS Echesa

What you need to know:

  • The new CS needs to bond with his officials a bit longer, study them carefully, before making conclusions.
  • By virtue of the fact that the CS was a boxer means he knows how sports operates in this country.

I want to take this earliest opportunity to welcome the new Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Rashid Echesa, who officially took over the reigns from his predecessor, Hassan Wario, on Tuesday.

Like any other fraternity, we are excited to have you on board Mr Echesa and we are looking forward to positive changes in all corners of the sector.

However, I must say you will need to take time to study the house you are inheriting. It is one thing to say something and quite another to act.

The sports docket is complicated mesh which is governed by rules and regulations emanating from international association.

As stakeholders, we are for change but this change can only be achieved through dialogue.

The new CS needs to bond with his officials a bit longer, study them carefully, before making conclusions.

By virtue of the fact that the CS was a boxer means he knows how sports operates in this country.

The very people he is branding cartels are supposed to help him navigate the murky waters, if he is to succeed.

I, however, agree with him when he says sports is no longer an idle pastime undertaking but a source of livelihood for thousands of our young people.

Yes! Sports is big business and we must shift our priorities to ensure our sportsmen have good platforms to deliver for the country, as he said.

Unfortunately, Echesa is inheriting a ministry that is facing public flak especially after failing to host the 2018 Africa Nations Championship (Chan) in January.

Besides, the main stadiums are under renovation and he will have to, firstly, fast-track the process to ensure our teams have a place to train.

His situation is made worse by the recent pullout of betting firm SportPesa from sponsoring major sporting institutions like clubs and federations.

The list is endless and I suggest he takes baby steps instead.

The CS must embrace teamwork and be humble if he is to succeed and deliver on all the Jubilee promises.

Purporting to be “Mr Fix it” may not go down well in the end.

Fortunately he has an able PS who has been in the system for awhile and knows the complexities inherent in sports.

Dr Hassan Wario came in with gusto and determination to streamline the sports sector.

Unfortunately his Achilles heel could have been lack of consultation and less understudy of the federations.

I am sure he is a happy man now!

Its not as easy as it seems; Watch this space sir.

Korir, Athletics Kenya’s Nairobi branch chairman, is also head of Kenya’s team to the 2018 Commonwealth Games: [email protected]