Items by SportsKenya

SportsKenya

• Another Sponsorship Deal in the Works ...

  Posted: March 8, 2010, 8:14 pm by SportsKenya

  Word has it that a Kenyan football club - City Stars is about to secure sponsorship of some few millions from a local telco company. The world of football is surely getting interest in this side of the world. Hope this goodwill's going to uplift the game's standards and move the clubs to better positions locally and regionally. More details as they unfold.

• Sports Clubs - Institutional clubs, Community-driven or Tribal Affairs?

  Posted: March 4, 2010, 3:54 pm by SportsKenya

  In the last few months, I have been feeding off comments and conversations about the need for sports clubs and more specifically football clubs to embrace ‘tribal’ outfits (for lack of a better word).
  My dilemma though is that are we trying to re-live past days or create rivalries? Again what informs the decision is it the competitive nature or just some misinformed session? There is also the reasoning around the need for communities (read tribes) to rally behind their own.
  
  
  Tanzanian football club Simba Union
  
  Given the small matter of the 2007/8 election debacle I would trend on this one carefully. There is the perception that football thrives from certain parts of the country. True, but really wholly scientific.
  In my humble opinion the clubs should be developed by the communities around them. What do I mean? For instance, we have areas such as Kawangware, Kangemi, Huruma, Spring Valley, Madaraka, Kileleshwa, and many more. The residents around these areas can develop football clubs right from the under 9 , under 13, under 15 and so on.
  Structures such as we have with the Ligi Ndogo and what the Super Eight Tournament is trying to do should help. Then these can conglomerate around a common channel by having mini-tournaments and the winning team(s) be awarded.
  Using Nationwide League and KPL these should then go up the ranks to eventually play at the top League. Of course some of these things are happening but not with the focus and the direction they ought to take.
  Youth centres and clubs should be developed using the CDF funds and Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports which were intended for football in the 2008/9 Budget estimates. The long-abandoned FIFA Goal Project’s funds can also be secured and grants offered to the clubs displaying the best management skills.
  Eventually these should be monitored on a regular basis and the wealth of talent brought to a common pool for the national teams which then train and meet on a regular basis.
  Of course the clubs can also prepare business plans in consultation with the experts and the corporate world which is slowly starting to appreciate the potential of sports marketing. This can be done on an annual or semi-annual basis. This way clubs would be forced to prepare financial reports and potential suitors to conduct due diligence before making any commitment to the sporting outfits.
  This can be replicated in other sporting disciplines such as rugby, basketball, and handball and as maybe pursued.
  A line of contention is of course the institutional clubs from corporate firms which feel they can sponsor individuals from their companies to play in a team. This is usually tricky given the fluid nature of company management in most corporate firms and parastatals alike.
  
  We also know what happens when the management changes hands and one top manager doesn’t find sense in sponsoring sports. Others would use the oft-made statement of rationalising, scaling down or whatever jargon tickles your fancy.
  As the sporting season heats up in the local scene, let’s see what unfolds as the year trudges on. There are definitely interesting times ahead, but let’s be rational more than emotive which is not easy in sports!

• Kenyan Football :- Back to the Doldrums

  Posted: March 1, 2010, 12:15 pm by SportsKenya

  Earlier this year, I had done a post on Kenyan football and it's perceived comeback on the continental scene. But all this has been undone by the weekend fixtures which effectively means our local teams can only wait for the CECAFA Club tournament to make any meaningful contribution to the football scene beyond our borders.
  This is tragic given the amount of investment that has been streaming in thanks to the good work by SuperSport ( and no , they are not paying us to blow the horn for them). KPL- which manages the Kenyan Premier league has given its fair share too but not without its shortcomings.
  The real culprit though especially for one of the clubs, AFC Leopards has been its management team.
  - How do you employ a person only to pressure him when they have managed only one game?
  - What measures did you have in place to challenge the continental onslaught since you had over 3 months to prepare for this?
  - How do you entrust a management team which has no wherewithal to finance the team even if they have to dip into their pockets? (I'm made to understand the team got its air tickets to Ethiopia on Friday evening from a prominent politician who's leveraging himself using the team)
  - There is a whole season to play for. Do you have the funds and the structures to be able to ensure the team plays for top honours?
  - Do we have a technical training institute for football tacticians or do we wait for retired footballers to come into the scene and claim to know a thing or two about football?
  - Youth academies, how many local clubs have these in place ?
  
  If we dare answer some of these questions, we can spare the blushes next year to at least see one of our teams feature in the African Champions League. As for now, it's back to the local stadiums and the usual English and other European leagues on TV. Sad if I must say!

• MacDonald Mariga - Making the Champions' League cum English Debut ?

  Posted: February 24, 2010, 7:03 pm by SportsKenya

  
  After creating such a buzz during the transfer window in January, our very own McDonald Mariga's about to take to the pitch, this time on a high profile game which might just launch his career into greatness.
  Playing for one of the continent's revered sides and playing against one of England's best hopes for a Champions League win, Mariga will come up against tried and tested pedigree at a continental level.
  It's good that for a long time now most Kenyans have rooted for either an English or Spanish side but Italians, we've never really fancied. Well feast your eyes on this one ! Tonight at 2245hrs on your favourite sports channel (if you have cable) or if they screen it on the normal network(s). Here's the squad named by Jose Mourinho.

• Football Broadcasts - Another Radio Station joins the Circus

  Posted: February 24, 2010, 6:31 pm by SportsKenya

  Those of you who make time with your favourite radio presenters and stations will notice that there has been an increased occurrence of stations broadcasting live football games.
  Commendable it would be BUT I can't emphasise the fact that most of these focus mostly on the English Premier League and Champions League on weekdays. A great departure was the Africa Cup of Nations and of course we have the World Cup coming up in June which the national broadcaster and Radio Africa Group are hoping to reap handsomely.
  On Saturday, yet another local radio station , Milele FM (specialising in playing rhumba music) broadcast the English Premiership games in partnership with BBC ( Idhaa ya Kiswahili) - great for your average football fan but disastrously to the growth of local game.
  With the interest in the local game rising, we are bound to have fans starting to tune into the stations to find their favourite presenters as they make-believe and blow themselves hoarse as they bring the games.
  Though it seems like a conspiracy by the media companies especially TV,I think they can serve our state of the game better by reducing these channels. For their business model it will work in the short term but for the local and continental game, no way.
  While we all remember during the Africa Cup of Nations especially the final games, we know how Egypt v/s Ghana's game was beamed albeit to a reduced audience across it as most people preferred watching the EPL's Arsenal v/s Man U !!!
  The dilemma first for the Kenyan football authorities is to sort out the first few problems of an unattractive game which needs to be worked on to impress upon fans to make their way into the stadiums. This will in turn become an attraction for the fans to come watch these fixtures. The incentives are coming through with sponsorship packages as corporate companies make their way into the game, KDN, Sofapaka and others thank you !
  Ultimately, the local radio stations will have no option to give the local game preference over the other leagues. No illusions about this, we need to build our OWN!

• Serena Williams expected in Kenya next week

  Posted: February 22, 2010, 6:53 pm by SportsKenya

  
  Kenya's slowly becoming a hotspot to major sports stars. This week we receive Serena Williams for her second visit into the country courtesy of the HP organisation and Build African Schools (BAS) Foundation. We surely hope this is the beginning of a host of stars, given our strategic spot across the continent.
  Last week we had former Newcastle start Alan Shearer make a stop in the country. Now Serena, who's next? Tiger Woods? Cristiano Ronaldo or ?
  
  Thanks to Tennis Info Blog for the information.

• Football In Eastern Africa - 'The Invisible Region ' & Nicholas Musonye's growing stature

  Posted: February 12, 2010, 3:46 pm by SportsKenya

  Courtesy of Soccernet.com's Sven Frandsen, read through why the Eastern part of Africa will not be enjoying much boons from the World Cup and the frills of major tournaments. Once again Nicholas Musonye comes out blazing with the a true picture of the situation and could it be that this guy should be heading the Kenyan football fratenity. He saved AFC Leopards from CAF's axe and his efforts to bring CECAFA to the forefront of continental football. He also made a strong case for football in war-torn Somalia at the CAF meeting which is said to have impressed FIFA gurus. Hmmm an interesting year indeed for the CECAFA man.
  You can also read this about the dearth of players from Eastern part of Africa,which may have helped Sven develop his article for Soccernet.

• Kenyan Football :- Are we ready for take-off?

  Posted: February 8, 2010, 7:36 pm by SportsKenya

  Over the weekend, we made time to visit the curtain-raiser for the upcoming season in the Kenyan football calendar & to a large extent, we were not disappointed. The game between Sofapaka & AFC Leopards had not had much hype but a fair crowd should up to cheer their favourite teams;
  Positives:
  - Fanbase - given last season's hype by SuperSport and Kenya Premier League officials, the fans for both teams should up for what looks like a most interesting season. Though AFC enjoyed a larger crowd, as the season progresses we shall see a growth in Sofapaka's fan-base especially if they conquer their continental assignment.
  - Ticketing - the prices for the tickets were reasonable enough and any fan worth their salt should not even go there complaining about this. The russian side was at 50 /= and the sheltered area 100/= with the main dais 200/=.
  
  - Stadium management - the grounds looked well-maintained but might need more sprucing up especially as the season warms up proper.
  - Refreshments & snacks - the fancy-looking hawkers selling the snacks got a boost from Coca-Cola which made their day by giving them easy vests to carry the bottles. This is a welcome move since the Sun was beating down on us for the better part of the afternoon.They were also affordable unlike other events where catering costs an arm and a leg.
  
  Areas to Work On;
  - Ticketing - Though the prices are fair, can the ticketing guys (one firm called Sports Ticketmasters) try and organise for advance tickets? For logistical purposes as well as security measures during big matches, they might need to work on this urgently.
  - Security - I noticed less than 10 police officers around the grounds even when you consider that there is a police station right there at the stadium grounds. Given the penchant of fans getting carried away and questioning rather loudly the officials/referees word, a contingent of not less than 20 police and maybe security guards and volunteers is a future consideration. At one point, one of the linesmen had a bottle of soda hurled at him, not good in bigger (and most likely tense) games.
  There was also a section of fans who were smoking some not-so-legal stuff and would most likely not be suitable in case of crowd trouble.
  - MC and entertainment before and at half-time- This was a bit wanting and did not have the uumph that the crowd would participate in. One of the reasons people come to watch the game live is get entertained not just by the game but also antics of the acts as they get ready to watch their favourite players. As for the MC, he was more concerned with the English Premiership game which was to be screened later that evening than telling us more about the two teams on the pitch.
  - Technical expertise of the teams - Though they have been having at least 2 months off the pitch, there were some wanting moves by both teams. AFC seemed most affected especially their forward line. Maybe it's the fact that they are moulding a new team but they need to come up with a tighter game.
  Sofapaka looked more comfortable on the ball and looked more dangerous on the counter. They will need to work on their backline though especially given the Egpytians penchant for quick counters as seen during the African Cup of Nations.
  
  If what we saw on Sunday is anything to go by,and if the Kenyan football officials do not interfere, Kenyan football might just be ready for take-off!

• SuperCup : AFC Leopards v/s Sofapaka

  Posted: February 3, 2010, 6:42 pm by SportsKenya

  The Kenyan football season's curtain raiser opens this weekend where last season's winners of the Kenya Premier League - Sofapaka and Football Kenya Limited (FKL) Cup - AFC Leopards will be playing for honours and prize money of around KShs. 500,000 for the winning team and the losing team, KShs. 250,000.
  It shall be interesting seeing the new season start with much aplomb given the interest generated by the Africa Cup of Nations (though Kenya didn't make the cut) and the Mariga saga.
  Both teams have also been building up for the new season with AFC having more controversies than successes. Sofapaka have managed to secure a couple of sponsors who will ensure they have the money to challenge for continental honours.
  AFC have also made changes again to their technical bench as shown below;
  Jean Marie Abeels has been elevated to the position of Technical Director,
  Chris Makokha - Head Coach;
  Roberto Bollen - First Assistant Head Coach;
  Aggrey Imonje - Second Assistant Head Coach; and
  Washington Muhanji as the Goalkeeper's Trainer.
  
  Sunday 3p.m. at the Nyayo National Stadium and for those not in live with the smell of the raw nerves & sweat and the beautiful grass, catch it on SuperSport.

• MacDonald Mariga's Miss - Lessons for Kenyan football

  Posted: February 3, 2010, 11:23 am by SportsKenya

  Thanks to the dithering football authorities and the usual last minute haste and Mariga missed out on what the local media had already hyped as the deal of the year. What is even more amusing is the fact that our very own PM tried gaining mileage too saying how he'd helped acquire a work permit after placing a call to the UK authorities. Laughable if you ask me...
  Photo Courtesy of Inter Milan official website.
  
  What do we learn from this ?
  
  First we are celebrating a single player almost making it to the English Premiership League for the first time, well and good. But shouldn't we be sad that it has taken us almost 18 years to get what would have been the first player into the EPL ? Countries such as Congo (both Congo Kinshasa & Congo Brazzaville already have two players having played there even when their states are not the most stable economically). You can also check out the spread of international players currently playing in the EPL here.
  Secondly if this is not a good enough wake-up call for the Kenyan football authorities then I don't know what is. Forget the fancy bid they made for the 2016 Africa Cup of Nations ( Big Joke !)Forget the Antoine Hey fiasco (Mr. PM he DID NOT IMPROVE Kenyan football). If there is a time that Kenyan young players will get inspired in playing the game it is now. If you put a little more effort and time in investing in the Kenya Premier League as SuperSport has so willingly been patient with you, then the yield will be a whole load of talent.
  Third expounding on the 2nd point above, if you have good local talent it automatically means you develop a good local scene. Coming from the Africa Cup of Nations, the North Africans and some West African countries have shown us that they have what it takes to earn bragging rights, ask the Egyptians.
  That's fair enough for now as we look forward to a new season 2010 !
  
  Mariga's Boon:
  It may seem lost that he didn't make it to England, but methinks he will improve dramatically working under the 'The Special One'. It may also be right given he has a chance playing in the Champions League fixtures starting soon.
  Who knows in the summer his tag may improve dramatically and may find just the right suitors?

• MotorSport - San Valencia Rally School breaks new ground

  Posted: February 1, 2010, 6:14 pm by SportsKenya

  Awhile back when the rallying world seemed to have come down crumbling after the withdrawal of the Safari Rally by the WRC gurus, rallying enthusiasts all but gave up on this fledging sport. Not one to be faint-hearted both on the wheel and off it, it requires lots of nerves, guts and also the good-old mullah ($$$)to go with it.
  
  That's why there was cause for celebration when retired (& soon to come out of retirement...)one Phineas Kimathi of San Valencia Group - which operates eatery and catering services around Nairobi - came up with other rallying veterans ( Abdul Sidi, Azar Anwar, Asad Khan and George Mwangi) to form the San Valencia Rally School.
  The first of its kind in the country, it is hoped to develop local talent into rally drivers and impart a bit of the technical aspects of the sport to the younger and upcoming rally drivers.
  
  Hoping to incorporate other worthy components such as WRC's Junior World Rally Championship, and other aspects such as may involve rallying, it is a fresh way of developing our drivers and inspiring future ones at that. We hope such initiatives will give impetus to the local organisers to up their game on rallying to get the Safari Rally back to the WRC circuit, that way your efforts will not be in vain. You can also learn more from such rallying schools as this one at Silvestone.

• 2010 Africa Cup of Nations - Are we ready for the World Cup?

  Posted: February 1, 2010, 4:56 pm by SportsKenya

  
  
  With the tournament coming to a close last night with the Egyptians winning the trophy a third time in as many times crowning a sterling performance from much of the homegrown talent.
  Having been threatened by the initial attacks on the Togolese team (which has since been banned from CAF tournaments, absurd if you ask me...), the tournament had a hot-cold feel to it which meant there were spectacular moments but also the usual drawl that such tournaments have. These are our take-outs worth noting;
  
  1. Security - this has becoming of paramount importance since the 1972 Olympics when Israel lost some of its members to a fundamentalist group. This should have been avoided at the start if the Angolan authorities had not overlooked the fact of Cabinda being a potential trouble-spot. Future tournament organisers will also need to notify the countries available means of entry into their countries to avoid such travesties as endured by the Togolese team.
  
  2. Sponsors - for once most the companies who sponsored the tournament made an effort to localise even their communication using largely African players and people too. This is a boon to the fledging industries in sports, advertising and marketing which couple together to make it possible to enjoy the tournaments.
  A mention too for the SuperSport sportscasters for adding the African flair to their wardrobe. Though some people looked awkward in the flowing designs, it was refreshing to see the change from the more formal polo shirts to the truly African wear.
  
  3. Timing - not seemingly supporting the European team managers, the tournament needs to have a longer period between one and the next tournament. Though CAF's Issa Hayatou , thinks otherwise, the level of competition would be heightened if there is a wider period and also allow for the players to give their best as compared to what they currently have to endure. Some of the main contenders had to contend with 4-6 players of the first team injured.
  Again the pressures on the host country have all been there to see, like Burkina Faso in 1998 and Mali in 2002. Though FIFA has made the changes into an odd year,so as to see the possibility of not clashing with the European and World Cups, the work is cut out for the CAF officials.
  
  4. Trophy Design - Now that Egypt has won the trophy 3 consecutive times, does the old tradition of keeping the trophy stand? If it does, it's about time CAF developed a more representative and iconic trophy. The current World Cup is a good starting point.
  
  5. Stadium Management - It was clear that most of the stadia were being used for the first time and the toll on some of them made it hard to train and play at the same time. Taking us back to the 3rd point, the organisers ought to give the host country ample time to develop the stadia and also test them with local or international fixtures. That way no excuses of not training at the same grounds will be heard like what we had in the Angolan tournament.
  
  6. Africa Cup of Nations cum World Cup qualifiers - judging from the performance of most countries that qualified for the World Cup, it shows the need to have it held every 3-4 years. Though 3 of the countries qualified for the semi-finals, the lacklustre performances in the group stages and the quarter & semi-finals depict a worrying picture. Unless the countries pick themselves up and play with serious passion and technical approach, I don't see anywhere more than 2 countries going into the second round of the World Cup.
  
  7. Local vs international tacticians - Once again, we argue the case for local coaches taking the national teams. Look at Egypt, Algeria and Nigeria, though the latter two didn't win anything substantial, the use of local coaches showed why we need to do away with the notion that expatriates will make our game. What's even more interesting is the fact that much of the Egyptian team had players from their local league. I wonder how they lost the WC qualifiers again...
  (Don't you just love it?)
  I'm sure the South African LOC for the World Cup has been camping at the Angola cities taking notes. I don't foresee the two tournaments ever coming into such close proximity as it has this year. Thus South Africans, you've the work cut out for you !

• MacDonald Mariga 's Promised Deal ? No Celebrating Yet

  Posted: February 1, 2010, 4:22 pm by SportsKenya

  Over the weekend, the local Press and sports enthusiasts were treated to some interesting news about one of Kenya's sterling footballers about to make his forays into the richest Premier league in Europe -EPL.
  While perusing I noticed a rather disappointing tone to most of the stories which highlighted more of what he is supposedly going to earn rather than tell us more about his exploits on the pitch and impact in his current team Parma in Italy.
  Something else we must realise is that the deal is not yet sealed. As Mark Kaigwa notes in his blog- Mariga's likely miss , we must remember that Manchester City is currently the richest club and though we would love to have him join them (the first Kenyan player if he does to play in the English Premier League), there is the small matter of whether he will earn top notch playing games or languish on the bench ala Angola's Manucho @ Manchester United.
  As a player though, he has managed to stay in good playing condition given the very physical nature of the Italian game - catenaccio. If he makes it to the English game, the pace, weather and exhausting schedule is something to think about. He may also need to consult some serious tax guys to sort out his pay and any endorsements (if they come his way) since England is known to have one of the tightest tax regimes in sports.
  As the January transfer window comes to an end in the next few hours, we hope history shall be made but with much thought and hindsight before embarking on the English rendezvous.
  
  Kenyan football officials you watching?
  
  Did you know that...
  - Mariga was part of the Kamukunji High School - that included Dennis Oliech -Auxerre (France) who won two national titles in 2002 & 2003.
  - His deal to Parma was engineered by former Swede international Martin Dahlin - first black player for the Swedish team which went on to place 3rd in the 1994 World Cup in the US.
  - There are reports of interests too from Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan
  (Sources: Wikipedia & Goal.com)

• AFC Leopards Spotless for now ???

  Posted: January 26, 2010, 3:48 pm by SportsKenya

  
  It seems symptomatic of Kenyan sports ( no pun intended for the Leopards FC fans) that anytime there is a semblance of success, all hell breaks loose.
  According to media reports, AFC Leopards one of Kenyan's football club with a rich heritage has been having 2 camps training separately and under different management. As a keen supporter of the development of the local game, consultations with reliable sources managing the team's affair indicate that this was a case of blown egos from the past season.
  
  While it is any fans wish that some of these problems would stop manifesting themselves just before the team engages in its first continental challenge in the last 13 years, it cannot escape the usual infighting that comes with success and promises expected. A causary look at most of the Kenyan teams and the sponsorship they are attracting gives credence to this.
  In addition to this, we have seen KFF or whatever body runs the game serve as the template for most clubs where chaos and underhand dealings run the game. FIFA has not helped matters either as they have come up with all sorts of reasons to save their underlings managing the local scene.
  If my sources are correct, the 2 camps have buried the hatchet and decided to merge the teams and also the management. One of the opposing camps has been raising the issue of legitimacy of the elections held, but we all know the price of 'democracy' especially when you decide to boycott the polls. As such the official management team is as follows;
  
  Chairman - Julius Ochiel
  Executive Director - Micah Luvutse
  Logistics Manager - Gilbert Selebwa
  Chief Steward - Edward Mulanda
  Technical bench comprises of ;
  Technical Director – Chris Makokha
  Team Manager – Tony Lidonde
  Head Coach – Jean Marie Abeels from Belgium
  First Assistant Coach – Roberto Bollen from Brazil
  Second Assistant Coach – Charles Bushira
  Physiotherapist – Aggrey Omune
  
  As for Nick Yakhama, the axe seems to have landed on him heavily and especially because of the taking of sides when things almost got out of hand. It doesn't bode well for any technician to start voicing your opinion rather too loudly. You can ask the English Premiership League and other European Leagues managers.
  
  SIDE-NOTE:
  - The ongoing imbroglio seems to have raised the profile of the SuperCup game between AFC Leopards {winners of Kenya (formerly President's) Cup 2009} & Sofapaka (Kenya Premier League winners 2009) to be played on February 6th 2010 and to be screened on SuperSport.
  - There is also the small matter of the continental challenge starting with the Ethiopians on February 14th.

• Stadia Renovations - Are we that blind to opportunities?

  Posted: January 21, 2010, 1:39 pm by SportsKenya

  
  Reading from the Press reports, initially I thought it was a joke but our Sports Stadia Management Board chair one Benjamin Sogomo ( guy always looks shifty from back in the days of the Kenyan education crises), confirmed my fears.
  In a year when we shall witness a myriad of sporting activities across the continent and even expected to host some in our own backyard, the Board has decided to shut down the Kasarani complex for renovations. OK, there are some places that needed urgent works but that's why we needed to have planned for these like 2 years ago and sort this by last year.
  With the 2010 World Cup coming, this would have been a perfect pitch for selling the venue to at least one or two qualified nations to use for their residential training before proceeding down South. Gold-mine !
  There are also continental championships coming up such as the junior athletics and continental volleyball games in July & August and swimming championships in the last quarter of the year. What do they say? "...they will have to held elsewhere". I remember with bitterness how we missed out hosting the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations (I'd a free 2-months planned for it only for the Kenyan government to claim 'they didn't have enough money to host it,losing out to eventual winners South Africa - the words of then Minister for Culture & Social Affairs one Maalim Mohammed still ring in my ears ****!!!!)
  If we look at the other possibilities that we'd have to host any meaningful championships, they can't out-number the fingers of my hand...thanks again to our own internal wars in early 2008 (Afraha Stadium - Nakuru & Eldoret's Keino Stadium) and sheer neglect coupled with the grabbing culture (such as is at Ruringu Stadium -Nyeri)
  Is it that we have such myopic leadership in some of these ministries or is just a Kenyan thing to shoot ourselves in the foot every so often? It really hurts to see some sports generate some positive light and make huge strides only for the Government-managed bodies to stifle these developments and stagger our progress. At this rate we should explore possibilities of privatising the Sports Stadia Management Board. Remember the Nyayo Stadium & Coca-Cola fiasco? All the more we should hasten this...

• Africa Cup of Nations 2010 - Boys to Men

  Posted: January 21, 2010, 12:55 pm by SportsKenya

  Starting on the wrong footing, Africa's first major sporting milestone this year has seen some interest from football enthusiasts across the continent. Of course we can't rule out the critics such as Hull City's Phil Brown who even started criticizing the 2010 World Cup while he can't place where some countries are at on the African map.
  True the tournament's seen its share of mis-steps again due to the fragile nature of Angola's infrastructure and security arrangements. But as they say, this is Africa ! (my fairy tale one though!)
  Getting into the games proper, we were treated to a goal fest in the opening match and though the underdogs seemed to have stepped up their game, the usual suspects are quickly getting back the order of things. Thursday's games shall see the final 2 teams qualify for the quarter-finals.
  The main concern though has been the poor show by the continent's World Cup representatives with 1 nation on the verge of elimination - Cameroon unless they win against Tunisia today. Another concern, is there seems to be less talent coming from the other country's - maybe they are getting warmed up for the quarters & semis but from what we've seen, we don't have as much world-beaters as we portend.
  Crowds watching the games- South Africa should be taking notes. During the Angola - Algeria game, there were parts of the upper stadium that were almost empty. Serious concerns if you are to make any revenues from the ticketing.
  Ad campaigns and sponsorships - some of the major apparel companies seem to have shunned the continent leaving Puma to hold forte in almost all the top teams. Maybe it's a lack of confidence in the teams' abilities or Puma has offered lucrative deals. Only Nigeria's wearing another company's outfit. Still on this, the media campaigns have the usual African colourful works but don't quite inspire (me) into thinking Pan-African.
  All in all, the next one week will see out the finals of this tournament which FIFA & CAF ought to seriously think about. The 2-year cycle's too monotonous and maybe that's why it can't attract major sponsors. It also destabilises clubs not just in the African leagues but also the European ones -where some of the managers have made quite a critique as well. It will also help host nation's prepare and avoid fiascos of building fancy stadiums only for these to remain empty and decrepit on the tournaments' ending.
  Keep watching your favourite team though and may the best Kings of Africa win !
  For your reading pleasure, check this too, soccer wars !

• 2-0-1-0

  Posted: January 8, 2010, 5:35 pm by SportsKenya

  
  Don't you like the way this year just rolls out the tongue? Methinks we are upto something good (unless of course we keep seeing headlines like what the funny Kenyan MPs may receive if the recommendations go through).
  Sporting activities and opportunities are already in the pipeline and of course have the big one in June-July. Kenya shall also host a few events and though we might not reap as much boon from the World Cup and its crumbs, we shall feature prominently as is the case in the rugby 7s, swimming, continental club football (that's if we can move beyond the 1st & 2nd round to Africa Club Champions League proper) among others.
  We shall hope to give you the best of our insights and keep you posted on the whys and wherefores of some of the happenings. Watch out too for live coverage (unless technical issues challenge us like it happened last year during the SOYA Awards at KICC).
  
  Great year , shouldn't it be ?

• SOYA Awards - SportsKenya Take !

  Posted: December 10, 2009, 11:15 am by SportsKenya

  With less than 24hr to go for this year's Sports personality Of the Year Award (SOYA) about to take place at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), we have come up with our list of winners ( nothing scientific there...), let's see how this compares with tomorrow's winners, at least in the top categories.
  Starting with
  COACH OF THE YEAR:
  Benjamin Ayimba - Kenya Rugby 7s coach - without a doubt, this man has managed to put Kenya firmly among the top 6 in the IRB Sevens Circuit and even came within touching distance of the Rugby World Cup 7s in Dubai.Formerly a 7s player, he has led from the front and taken the brunt when the team doesn't perform as witnessed in 2008 when the 2008/9 IRB Circuit started with dismal performances. Sofapaka's Robert Matano would come a close second, playing the Premier League in the first season and winning it, special!
  
  OUTSTANDING SPORTS ASSOCIATION/FEDERATION:
  It might be controversial but I go with the Kenya Rugby Football Union. Reasons being, they managed to stage the Junior World Rugby tournament, supported the Olympic bid for having the 7s game included as a Olympics in 2016 in Brazil (which sailed through), securing new (and loaded)sponsorship for the Safari Sevens tournament and 7s team too. The 15-a-side maybe their Achilles heel, but for the 7s, give it to them, they have put a fair show.
  
  SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR:
  World champion , Linet Masai takes the cake here. She managed to upstage the Ethiopians and ran such a tactical race that we had not given her a chance to win it. ensured that the Kenyan women maintained the tempo and brought the country at least 2 more gold medals just like their male counterparts.
  
  SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR:
  Rugby comes through for the 3rd time and this time it's the star of the year Collins Injera. Finishing as top scorer in the IRB Sevens circuit in the 2008/9 season and losing out narrowly in the IRB Sevens Player of the Year award shows the pedigree this gent has.He was hinted to have gotten prospects of playing professional games in France and South Africa but I guess he's decided to hack it out in the local scene. He has managed to secure endorsement from top mobile firm Nokia and boy do the ladies love this guy, check his Facebook fan-page.
  
  
  
  SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR (WOMEN):
  It's a tricky one, but I'd put money on the Kenya Commercial Bank women's club at the front. This is after the team lost out to eventual winners Al Ahly of Egypt but upset the form book to displace Kenya Pipeline and Prisons clubs at the pecking order of volleyball in Kenya.
  
  SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR (MEN):
  This squarely lays with Sofapaka football team. The 7s team may claim a right as well as the athletics team but Sofapaka beats them all since they ultimately won the Kenya Premier League - football - in their first outing. Given the chaotic football scene, coming up with a team and managing to give established teams with sizeable fan-bases; Sofapaka kept their cool. They play in next year's African Champions League with money in the bank.
  
  Those are but our thoughts. Nominations were handed in and let's see who takes what home, the winners of the Sportsman & Sportswoman of the Year take a prize money tag of KSh. 150,000. Who's in and who's not? See you tomorrow at KICC!

• KPL Football Awards - Why the Rush ?

  Posted: December 9, 2009, 10:34 pm by SportsKenya

  I'm wondering why these Kenya Premier League guys had to hold their awards ceremony rather hurriedly. With SOYA Awards coming up on Friday and CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup about to end, I thought they'd work with the CECAFA Secretariat and have joint ceremonies.
  Our Kenyan managers badly need some professionalism inculcated and maybe just maybe, we might count a few more lucky turns in the next few years. Again, just my thoughts !

• East African Classic Safari

  Posted: December 3, 2009, 5:29 pm by SportsKenya

  
  The dust's finally settled down at the Coast and in the North Eastern part of Tanzania. While the locals may claim victory, a lot needs to done for the rally to really connect with Kenyans the way the main one did.
  First, there has to be a substantial number of prominent drivers (former winners can get leeway here). Local drivers could be an added attraction and indigenous ones at that. The Patrick Njirus and Jonathan Toroitichs of this part of the world did a great deal of a PR job for the rally, they can come back and return the favour to the Classic version.
  I am also wondering if the organisers could consider covering more than two East African country, and venture into Uganda as well. This is the whole essence of the East Africa and I'm sure our colonial masters did enjoy their rendezvous back in the day. We could offer the same to our present day rally enthusiasts and make it a one-of-its kind.
  Considering Africa's loss of two major races from The Safari Rally and Paris-Dakar Rally, we need to work within ourselves and make it happen. We can't wait for the WRC technocrats.

• Gor Mahia to unveil new shirt for 2010 season

  Posted: November 18, 2009, 10:00 pm by SportsKenya

  After making it to the top 4 (and maybe still sneak into 3rd position), the Kenyan club with some of the most fervent support in the country unveils new uniform. Given that they might get an outside chance to play in the regional tournament, the club is set to be presented with the kit by the country's PM.
  
  A flurry of activity has started as clubs look to position themselves for the next season and most clubs have been sending feelers to corporations who are starting to soften their stance towards sports and more specifically football. We'll watch and see what happens where.
  
  2010 World Cup:
  The final 6 slots to the World Cup in South Africa are decided tonight. The fixtures that stand out are France v/s Ireland and Egypt v/s Algeria. I foresee an upset in one or both. But then again,that's the armchair analyst in me talking !

• Breaking News :Football - Telkom Kenya wants in too !

  Posted: November 10, 2009, 2:19 pm by SportsKenya

  Telkom Kenya has today added to the list of Kenyan corporates who are finally waking up to the reality of sports sponsorship. In a gesture towards CECAFA which was previously enjoying sponsorship from GTV ( Gateway Services)- which has since wound up, this is a major boost in confidence to the local and regional football fraternity.
  Beating the deadline for hosting the tournament, Kenya almost dithered with the chance but thanks to some inspiration from the CECAFA Secretariat led by one Nicholas Musonye. The tournament will run in Nairobi and Mumias from November 28th to December 13th 2009. With KFF or KPL (or whoever runs football locally, I seem to get lost all the time) almost grounding our chances in the continental championships, let's hope the regional cup can be ours for the taking. Better watch out though for Rwanda and Tanzania...

• Out Goes Virgin Air, In Come Kenya Airways

  Posted: November 9, 2009, 1:45 pm by SportsKenya

  With rugby slowly trying to upstage athletics as the more lucrative sport in terms of sponsorship, the weekend was another milestone especially for the 7s. Kenya Rugby Football Union (KRFU) penned a deal with Kenya Airways to be their official shirt sponsors to the tune of KSh. 15 million for 2 years.
  
  Logo courtesy of Kenya Airways
  
  
  Out with the old and in comes the new. After seeing the mileage Virgin Atlantic gained by having the Kenyan boys wear the shirts, it was only natural that once Virgin's deal was over, a major Kenyan firm would take over. The package includes flying the team across the different cities (where possible). Good thing going thus far !
  My concern though is the fact that we had to wait and see what Virgin would do (and gain) then we reacted to that. Why does it take foreign companies to realise that we can do more to sport than we currently are? There is just enough to spend on sport that would go a long way in changing the course for most these and the participants.
  I also hope the boys keep their feet on the ground and grace us with some outstanding performances this time gunning for the top 4 finish in the IRB circuit (and hopefully a series win or two!).Ayimba kazi kwako !
  Let's see more proactive corporates come forward. 2010's bound to be an interesting year for sport !

• Branding in Sports : Lessons from Usain Bolt

  Posted: November 7, 2009, 2:49 pm by SportsKenya

  (Photos courtesy of NMG & Reuters)
  
  He came, he saw, he conquered. Just like he's done on the 100 & 200m tracks, this athletics wonder-kid was at it again when he landed last week. He was even accorded audience with the powers-that-be, at one point even jokingly patting the Head-of State as they addressed the Press.
  What do we learn from this?
  1. Put a class act on the field :- Even before thinking of any antics (like Bolt gestures to cameras as he tries to calm his nerves) let your performances speak for themselves. Not just ordinary, EXCEPTIONAL !
  2. Consistency :- In sports as in many things in life, consistency is a very important thing. This helps you remain relevant among the clutter of events you maybe participating in.
  3. Committed :- Do not engage your fans if you are not committed to your sport. Fans will always see through any nonchalance and mediocrity means suicide not just among your fans but the purses too ( you can ask Mike Tyson).
  4. Commit to a Cause :- As much as possible, commit to a cause beyond your sporting exploits. This helps you focus energies in the chosen cause and also helps stay grounded instead of engaging in harmful exploits and stuff that may cost you.
  5. Flamboyance :- Though it may sound like a bad idea, be flamboyant in a nice way. We all know there are athletes, sports heroes who excel in their sport. But the GREATEST always EXCEL in their SHOWMANSHIP. Jordan, Ali and McEnroe are just some of those I can mention here.
  6. Invincibility :- This is closely related to consistency. If you achieve the unachievable, please do not let us see your weaknesses. The minute we start seeing you tottering like a has-been gone is your hero status. Maradona in the 1994 World Cup is a good example here( maybe even NBA's Allen Iverson)
  
  7. Smart Sponsorship(s):- As much as possible, DO NOT choose irrelevant products or brands to endorse.If they do not align with your goals and are not taking the extra mile to be what it takes, you go down with their premise. Be smart while choosing this.

• Kenya Open – New Deal

  Posted: November 4, 2009, 12:40 pm by SportsKenya

  Starting next year, Kenya's golfing premiere event will see a new sponsor following cancellation of Kenya Breweries flagship brand Tusker withdrawal (see previous article below). Kenya Golf Union's chairman said this after signing a deal with Icon Sports Marketing who has been given exclusive rights to find sponsors for next year's event. Icon Sports Marketing is a brainchild of Grace Kiraguri (she of Bamburi Cement and also actively involved in Rugby Safari Sevens) and Sam Mwai previously with Sports Stadia Management Board is part of the team. They have an enormous task of ensuring booty of KShs. 35 million to successfully host the event at the Muthaiga Golf Club. Incidentally Sam Mwai was once a staffer at the Golf Club so they should be in good company and this should not be a hard sell for them
  

  Puzzling as it, unconfirmed reports have it that EABL has withdrawn from all sponsorships. Suicidal if you ask me!

• Usain Bolt :- Athletics' biggest star finally lands

  Posted: October 30, 2009, 5:33 pm by SportsKenya

  
  Usain Bolt during an interview with renowned Kenyan TV personality and K24 anchor, Jeff Koinange - on his bench.
  
  
  Finally he's landed. After reporting this first ( with a threat from a few guys who thought we were pulling their legs), Usain's in town for the next 4 days for a couple of engagements relating to charities in the country and indeed the region.
  He comes under Puma's charitable works which include Zeitz Foundation; started by Puma's billionaire Jochen Zeitz, which aims to work towards developing an eco-tourism site in Laikipia which is about 150 km North of Nairobi.
  Tonight he is scheduled to attend a dinner at an invitations only event which is most likely to have the who's who in the Kenyan public and private sector circles. Too bad yours truly may not have access to these trappings of the 'esteemed' in our society. We shall keep you posted on snippets of his trip as usual and follow him on Twitter (like we are) here !

• Football: Sofapaka gets KSh. 12 million sponsorship from East Africa Portland

  Posted: October 28, 2009, 1:47 pm by SportsKenya

  The new darlings of Kenyan football, Sofapaka are currently unveiling a KSh. 12 million sponsorship package from East African Portland Cement Co. The club's name stands for SOTE (kama) FAmilia (kwa) PAmoja Kuafikia Azimio and is one of the few clubs with steady membership. It's website has some interesting insights, though not regularly updated.The club which got promotion last season to the Kenya Premier League-KPL are currently leading the standings and look set to win the title if they win at least 2 of the remaining games has made a sterling performance in this year's games.
  The club has been enjoying support from one Elly M. Kalekwa. The club's management includes Granton Samboja -chairman - he of the Milele FM - media company and prominent radio personality.
  This sponsorship will see the club's financial commitments receive a major boost if they are to continue with the challenge for continental honours if they win the KPL. They may also receive a boon for purchase of talented local players as the League continues making headways into professionalism. A plus for Kenyan football and indeed Kenyan sport !

• Word has it Usain Bolt will be in Nairobi

  Posted: October 26, 2009, 11:14 am by SportsKenya

  
  Ear on the ground says Usain Bolt maybe in town for a humanitarian and charity visit. According to PumaRunning.com (Bolt endorses Puma shoes for his track prowess),the 'phenomenon'who has been the best thing to happen on the athletics field in the recent past is expected in the country on Thursday...more details later. Check his rather interesting link here. You can also read about his publicist who makes sure we all get to know about his exploits here.

• Moses Kigen wins the 2009 StanChart marathon

  Posted: October 25, 2009, 12:26 pm by SportsKenya

  
  Moses Kigen (middle) flanked by Peter Sitienei(left) and Nathan Naibei(right).
  Yes It Is ! Moses Kigen is the new Nairobi Standard Chartered Marathon keeping the trend of a new winner in the last 7 editions of the event. He slashed some 12 seconds off last year's course record to finish at 2hr10min 12 sec. He was followed home by Nathan Naibei who had held the lead for sometime before appearing to burn out.
  Peter K Sitienei rounded up the top 3 at 2hrs 11min 32 sec.
  In the ladies event, Irene Jerotich won the event for a second time (first winning it in 2006 and coming second last year). She posted a modest time of 2hr28min 58sec.
  Alice Chelangat and Sharon Jemutai were 2nd and 3rd respectively.
  Each of the winners in the main marathon took home KSh. 1.5m, 2nd place - KSh.0.65m and 3rd place KSh.0.35m.
  The half-marathon had the men missing the mark by a minute to lower it to less than an hour. Ernest Kiprugut won it with a time of 1hr 1min 18sec. Prize money KSh.0.15m.The event attracted 13,500 enthusiasts and competitors alike. They braved the cold morning conditions and also the shower that almost threatened to ruin a fairly well organised event.
  
  Here's a sample of the day's happenings.

• Nairobi StanChart Marathon : Updates

  Posted: October 25, 2009, 11:55 am by SportsKenya

  The minor races have just been completed with none of the reigning champions taking back their titles. The trend of a new winner in the 21km and 10km races continues. An interesting winner though was the 42km wheelchair which had a familiar face in sporting circles one Ibrahim Wafula winning the 6 digit prize money. More updates and uploads of photos later...

• Nairobi Marathon - Standard Chartered is all set for all you marathon enthusiasts

  Posted: October 24, 2009, 4:35 pm by SportsKenya

  The 7th edition of the Standard Chartered-sponsored Nairobi Marathon is set to go. As of the time of writing the article , 13,500 athletes had registered for the race. This is a shortfall of 1500 which the Bank had targeted. Maybe the late registration fee of KSh. 500 seems to have put off applicants most of whom are in it for fun and who usually wait till the last minute to register.
  135 elite runners are in the 42 km full marathon with 86 of these being male runners and the female race attracting 49 runners. A total of 42 nations are represented in the race with the number of foreign runners being 194 in total. This is a fair number which gives the race some great coverage and truly paints the city in blue and green colours of the Bank.
  The most favourite race the 10km (which yours truly ought to be participating in) has majority of the registered ones with 6,000 registrations. With most city roads being closed, as usual Nairobians will be treated to another day of running and fun for a Sunday.
  We shall be reporting from the venue live and will bring you moments of the event, from the early morning activities to the actual races and the after-events.

• EABL: Tough choices, what is happening?

  Posted: October 24, 2009, 4:17 pm by SportsKenya

  After severing what was their major sports events, it seems there is some imbroglio at one of Kenya's biggest corporate firms. East Africa Breweries Limited (EABL as it were ) have seen their sports sponsorship diminish in the last one year and their influence in sport come to a mere trickle.From the controversial Tusker Athletics meet (which wanted to model around the Grand Prix events of Europe) to the more recent Sevens withdrawal, a major shift has been in the making. We cannot not speculate here what informs some the decisions but it raises issues. Tusker Sports-the sports marketing arm of EABL has reduced drastically its influence in sports. If you believed so much in a sport, what would be so bad for the abrupt withdrawal?
  Secondly, what informs a sponsorship decision? This comes especially with regards to the athletics meet. This ought to have been a soft drink or health drink at that. The best EABL would have done is use Alvaro which again has seen a decline in market share with the entry of Novida from Coca-Cola.
  Third, it seems with the change of management, there are a few feathers to ruffle. Mahinda departure has seen some fairly controversial decisions not just relating to sports but even in the region. Price changes (increases at a time when your consumers are really squeezed for cash), partnership disputes ( the Tanzania Breweries and Serengeti 'politics'), to a lackluster reality show in the name of Tusker Project Fame (which some named Tusker Project Shame).
  Branding gurus who engage in valuation of the brands will show the figures at the end of the year and if not wrong, some of the EABL brands will see a decline in their size and influence. Maybe it's the lull before a storm, maybe there is something brewing, just maybe !

• Rugby : Safaricom spices things a little more in sports

  Posted: October 24, 2009, 3:45 pm by SportsKenya

  After a shocked earlier this month when EABL withdrew from the rugby circles in a huff, another premiere corporate grabbed onto the opportunity and has made a serious commitment to the Sevens tournament and the sport in general.
  First comes the Ksh. 25 million for next year's 7s - KSh. 22 million for the tournament proper and KSh. 3 million for setting up the media center. A concern was whether they would sign the contract for more than 1 year which they did confirming a 3-year deal and the incremental factor after every year.
  
  Another interesting aspect is the involvement of Safaricom Foundation which is the Corporate Social Responsibility (sic) arm of Safaricom Limited. The foundation in consultation with KRFU will seek to upgrade the grounds at the RFUEA to international standards. Now that ought to take serious consideration but if they make true their promise, application to the IRB Sevens Circuit can be made in earnest.
  The other interesting thing with KRFU seems to be having local companies raise the stakes in sponsoring local sports which is a big boon to sport. The trickle-down effect to the players and the local league is something that will help enhance and encourage our boys to play their hearts out.
  Given rugby 7s entry into the Olympic circles, we can only roll up our sleeves and let some serious work start if we shall challenge for the podium. Let the games begin...!

• Wanjiru's Win Crowns a Great Week for Sports in Kenya

  Posted: October 11, 2009, 11:59 pm by SportsKenya

  For the typical sporting enthusiast in Kenya, (minus the Kenyan football fans of course) it has been positive news.
  First off is the inclusion of rugby in the 2016 Olympics to be held in Brazil ( the other addition being golf. The sport has seen phenomenal growth in the last 16 years since the IRB sanctioned the Rugby Sevens Series. Our team has featured actively since the early 2000s and has in the last two seasons seen outstanding performance causing this and that upset along the way. They even made it to the semi-finals of the 7s World Cup in Dubai last year.
  Our second high point is the win of Samuel Wanjiru at the Chicago Marathon. His has been a meteoric rise into the world of athletics and marathon for that matter. He rose to fame last year after winning the one gold medal that had been eluding famous Kenyan runners. He also recorded a win in this year's London marathon and he crowned his year with this win. Along with it is the booty reportedly first $250,000(appearance), $100,000(for win) and $75,000 ( for setting the course record,which he interestingly slushed just a second....)
  Truly a great week!

• EABL severs rugby relations with final knock off Safari 7s

  Posted: October 2, 2009, 3:03 pm by SportsKenya

  It's some of the news you don't want to hear or if your do you don't want to believe. How do you just wake up one day and decide to end such a lucrative and recognised events this side of the world?
  I'd say it will be one of the worst corporate blunders of the year. I'm really hoping there is some rationale to this but you don't lose 13 years heritage and just say it's a 'business decision'. The Union I suspect may also have sent out feelers before finally severing their relationship with Tusker.
  The bad blood started in May and the journey's come to an end. A quick check tells me there maybe a number of corporate firms willing to take up the sponsorship but there will be no brand close enough to what Tusker got to. It will also not be possible for the Union to cut a medium to long-term deal.
  It's my hope that someone can prove me wrong, but we might see another of our sports events brand start going down the drain. Remember the Safari Rally without Marlboro?

• Another pioneering move- STADDED.com

  Posted: September 24, 2009, 3:34 pm by SportsKenya

  My Kenyan brothers are busy taking this ICT explosion wholeheartedly. Another online portal for sports and entertainment is currently at Stadded.com. Word has it that the brains behind this have been doing the magazine Time Out which has the same focus -looking at both local and regional news in sports and entertainment.
  What fascinated me,is the fact that they even have an online magazine by the same name. Mind-blowing for real. Another plus for the online community. For more details check it out , and be 're-defined'!

• Basketball: New Format for Play-offs

  Posted: September 24, 2009, 11:52 am by SportsKenya

  The Kenya Basketball Federation has decided to introduce a new format for the play-offs starting this season. The play-offs usually played in November as the season closes, will entertain 8 teams from a previous 4. This may be good to make it more competitive but I still stick to my guns saying we need more than piecemeal changes to make our players world-class acts.
  Look at some of Africa's strong teams in Basketball, such as Nigeria, Angola, Congo et al; these guys have a competitive league which ensure they can churn out talent to play college basketball and club too in America and Europe respectively. The other day in the Press we read about the first Tanzanian in the NBA, one Hasheem Thabeet.He made it through getting scholarship playing at the University of Connecticut after being spotted in a local basketball tournament-in Kenya if I must say...
  I can't repeat what I have time and again said in this blog, we have administrators managing the game right now (and they are not doing a very good job at it, if reports from some of the clubs is anything to go by) but rather a mix of admin people and individuals with commercial expertise.
  We have for long trained young men and women from South Sudan and the region too but we have not made any impact yet at national and international level. Please act on this KBF and let not those peeves you have been having not relegate our game into the bins but instead take it to the next level.

• Hockey Officials get the boot

  Posted: September 24, 2009, 11:38 am by SportsKenya

  Finally some of the Kenyan sports bodies are waking up to the reality that unless they clean their act, no one will baby them into being a professional outfit. Kenya Hockey Union suspended its Secretary and two coaches as they hoped to make good on a promise of cleaning up the game.
  Perhaps its too early what impact this is bound to have since other officials have not quite shown the adeptness of running the game which was a main feature of our Kenyan Asian brothers who excelled in many an international events.
  Maybe they are hoping to attract sponsorship from corporates as they host the African Club Championships coming up in December after initial hosts, Uganda pulled out. Well, let's just hope they have what it takes to get this discipline going...we are watching you !

• New Cricket Coach Expected in- Any Hope for Kenyan Cricket?

  Posted: September 15, 2009, 2:55 pm by SportsKenya

  After having one of the lowest ebbs in Kenyan cricket in recent times, Cricket Kenya has a new coach coming into the country this week.
  Logo courtesy of Cricket Kenya
  
  Eldine Baptiste from the West Indies has a plateful to start with. He needs to inspire our boys back into the form of the mid and late 1990s to early 2000s.He might be able to awe us with his exploits having played alongside one of cricket's greats, Viv Richards.
  He might get aided by the fact that Kenya's talismanic cricketer, one Maurice Odumbe is back in the crease and might be eligible to play in next year's Cricket World Cup. We surely hope he will be more handy than Andy Kirsten who didn't get us going. Maybe Cricket Kenya knows a thing or two about his non-performance thus the need to renew his contract.

• Beach Volleyball in Kenya

  Posted: September 15, 2009, 2:32 pm by SportsKenya

  Finally there seems to be somebody reading this blog (hehehe). Mombasa hosted a 2-day tournament for the the International Beach Volleyball Championships. The Kenyan government had even sponsored it to some Ksh. 1.07 million but they sent a junior official to officiate.
  Ironically 2 countries without beaches -Rwanda and Uganda were in the finals in the men's division and Uganda was again represented in the women's finals. Though more regional than international, the tournament can raise interest and even become a major event in the Kenyan sports calendar. Our pedigree in volleyball is without doubt and we can offer some of the best beaches around.
  These two can serve us well to encourage sports tourism as some means of adding extra packages to our tourism packages. I don't see why we can conquer the rest of Africa in the sport too?
  
  Check this previous post for additional reading...

• 2009 StanChart Nairobi Marathon - Another Run in the City

  Posted: September 10, 2009, 2:14 pm by SportsKenya

  
  Banner courtesy of Standard Chartered Kenya
  
  It's that time of the year again. We get ready to rule the roads in the City ( at least for a few hours!). This year's StanChart is right back at you ! The route promises another expedition into the City for those coming into Nairobi for the first time. The residents will also enjoy a favourable route unlike what they have doing in the last few years.
  That can't be said to mean that it will be easy but a change is good as a rest. A change too is seen in the fact that late registration will attract a 500/= penalty ( as Kenyans have had a penchant for last minute registration...). The start and end The theme remains as has been Seeing is Believing- meant to raise funds for eye surgery operations in Kenya. Get practicing and we'll meet on the road !
  Here's a preview of last year's events.

• Boxing: Hit Squad - More Misses than Hits

  Posted: September 10, 2009, 1:10 pm by SportsKenya

  The week is proving to be depressing for us sports people. Another disappointing outing in our national team representing the country in the World Amateur Boxing Championships. The team had 10 boxers representing us in all the weight categories except the Super-heavyweight category.
  Getting it clear is the fact that we didn't have national trials where the team is supposed to be picked from. Since the Amateur Boxing Association of Kenya was formed, I think this is the first time they did such an amateurish move, going for an international event.FIRST WRONG !
  Secondly, the team ought to have attended the continental championships in July but I guess these guys were in some 'boot camp' busy training for the World Championships. They may have had ( they thought) what it takes to challenge major boxing kings such as Cuba and Russia to both individual and team titles. SECOND WRONG!
  Well 2 wrongs don't make a RIGHT and we were bundled out in humiliation in the first round.
  Where do we fish our sports officials from? When did we decide to hand-pick teams for representing us? How well-equipped were they before leaving the country? Do we even have the necessary technical expertise to have a local national circuit for boxers, or are we still tied to the archaic ways of pugilism from the 1980s?
  Back in the day, the Kenyan team was one of the major powerhouses in the ring and this culminated in the first African boxing gold in one Robert Wangila Napunyi-in the Welterweight Division. Well, I guess we reached the zenith and decided to slumber which we have never woken up from.
  
  Oh how I miss the Hit Squad of them days: the Dick Murungas, Philip Waruinges,Patrick 'Mont' Wawerus, Steve Mwemas, Mohamed 'Bodi' Orungis and the Napunyis of their time.

• Death of Kenyan ref :- Disgrace to sports !

  Posted: September 7, 2009, 5:05 pm by SportsKenya

  On Saturday, one Dan Etolle-a football referee who was died from stab wounds by football fans he was officiating in Thika-was buried. This was TOTAL DISGRACE to sport not just football but the whole of the sporting world.
  It is true that some officials make really dubious calls in games while others bring disrepute into sport but these are the minority. For Dan, his was not even such a call, just some excitable fans who thought they were doing their team a favor. What hurts me even more is slow (or no reaction) by the Football Kenya ( or KFF, which ever lays claim to managing the Kenyan game!)to the offense.
  Just as they took their sweet time reacting to acts of hooliganism from one of Kenyan's oldest and most followed clubs, this time they ought to have acted with speed. They didn't even send a representative to pay final respects to the official. What tragedy ! Maybe the gods were punishing us yesterday for not respecting ourselves !

• 2010 World Cup Qualifiers: Kenya's headed Down but not to SA

  Posted: September 7, 2009, 3:47 pm by SportsKenya

  As the major football powers are finally drawing closer to qualifying for the World Cup, for Kenya even the simplest of tasks is proving otherwise. We have been rewarding teams with our mediocre performances and still hoping that the gods will save our blushes and maybe, just maybe help us carry the day ( one day) to another major championship.
  Playing Mozambique, the local Press was busy singing praises how we have a professional (sic) outfit and have players who matter to take us to the Africa Cup of Nations and maybe just sneak in a World Cup in the same mix.
  In my humble opinion, our chances of qualification to any of these tournaments ended the day some intrusive football official(s) felt that one Francis Kimanzi was shown the door. Though not all that in terms of technical capabilities and international exposure, he had managed to cobble together a team comprised mostly of local and promising talents which had recovered and shown great potential.
  For some reason,these officials along with Government operatives led by the PM felt it was 'imperative' to get foreign expertise and what better than to consult his European chums in Germany who brought us a gentleman who's living like a prince along with his family as we keep wandering further from our goal(s) of qualification.
  Our striking force has been pathetic at most scoring only 3 times in 4 games. We keep hoping the partnership of Oliech and Oboya will do something upfront but to no avail. The backline is also archaic looking at one Musa Otieno who blundered in yesterday's game even as he tries to live one last dream of playing in a major tournament.
  I would go on and on critiquing the team but that's for the mainstream media which has been hoodwinked and co-opted into thinking we will make it to the aforementioned tournaments.
  I would rather be more realistic like my Bongo brothers who are aiming for Brazil 2014 and are working in earnest starting with their local league. Have we gotten ours in order here, before thinking continental or global ?

• World Record? Methinks there are better things we could be doing

  Posted: September 7, 2009, 2:59 pm by SportsKenya

  Over the weekend, we were treated to one of the oldest ( and lamest) athletics record being broken. OK for me, there was not much to celebrate given the fact that if our Kenyan athletes had kept their selfish interests (and those of their agents) at bay, we would have added another gold at the 1500m race.
  That we could afford to cobble up a team and even contribute athletes to other teams to help us break the 4x1500m record is really despicable. What happened to the more lucrative and recognisable 4x400m? We ruled this discipline in the 70s winning the 1972 gold ahead of the Britons, and repeated these performances in the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch-New Zealand and Edmonton-Canada in 1974 and 1978 respectively. The heritage lasted long enough into the 80s and 90s, where we won gold in the 1990 Commonwealth Games Auckland, New Zealand and bronze in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.
  After these we have concentrated on middle and long distance races which are no longer our stronghold anymore as evidenced by the Ethiopian, Eritrean and once in a while Chinese demolition.
  As for those who celebrated with the 1500m brothers in Brussels, mine was a case of mourning days gone by !

• Kenyan Golf finds home in Kenya Golf Network

  Posted: August 28, 2009, 4:55 pm by SportsKenya

  Kenyan Golf has been flirting with Kenya Data Networks, thanks to the work of one Vincent Wang'ombe-Chief Marketing Officer-KDN. The Kenya Golf Union and the Kenya Ladies Golf Union will be linked across the 38 golf clubs in the country and offer online convergence by developing a portal for information sharing locally and internationally.
  As the IT companies raise the stakes in developing content, KDN has been making deliberate moves in golf. They started out with sponsoring the Kenya Golf circuit and this seems to be developing into a healthy relationship.
  This portal will include among others;
  - registration for golf rounds at the different golf clubs,
  - golf calendars,
  - golf handicaps, and
  - SMS service, among others.
  The venture is a welcome boon to sports in Kenya. We look forward to learn from such disciplines as the country hopes to sell its different destinations and using sports tourism. For more details click here.

• All Motor Now - Total Motorshow 2009

  Posted: August 27, 2009, 5:26 pm by SportsKenya

  As we look to close what has been a rather cold month, you can warm your body by rolling by the Motorshow once again sponsored by Total at the Ngong Racecourse. For you who can afford to throw a few shillings into a motor car or anything on 2 to 28 wheels, this is your forum.
  
  
  Logo courtesy of Total Kenya
  
  
  Fun activities are also planned including 4x4 drives, stunt drives as well as helicopter rides. Adult charges = 300 /= and children 100 / = and the event starts tomorrow running till Sunday. Be there to discover the latest in motoring experience!
  For more info check this...

• Cast-Her Semenya - Who's fooling who ?

  Posted: August 26, 2009, 7:47 pm by SportsKenya

  For sometime we all thought we had the 800m women's title(s) wrapped after last year's Olympic Games. Pamela Jelimo and Janeth Jepkosgei had won both gold and silver and I thought we finally had our own version of the Ethiopian legends. Wait till Caster Semenya happened on the scene...
  Since her win she has managed to eclipse any other athlete even 'the Bolt' from Jamaica. What was easily one of the most exciting athletics meet in recent times has boiled down to what symbol Semenya represents...
  What has incensed me though are two observations. First the IAAF has handled the whole affair badly and thanks to media which sniffs like rabid dogs, Semenya's goose was roasted once in the Finals of the 800 race. Where were they when Semenya won the junior championships last both at the World and Commonwealth championships?
  Secondly while the South Africans were justified to feel angered by the treatment of one of their 3 heros from the World Athletics Championship, the whole scene having politicos shouting this and that made bad publicity and will only precipitate the situation.The ANC officials were the worst culprits drawing out the likes of Winnie Mandikizela out of the woodwork. With findings suggesting that Semenya has about 3 times the normal levels of testosterone, the saga will continue to elicit emotive actions.
  It would border on insanity for anyone to even have thought of sneaking in anything like that if it's proven but for now let Semenya be. I'm sure we all know of the local tom-boy who may even more masculine than we know. What happened to liberal society ?
  
  
  By the way, is the athlete by any chance a relation of the more famous musical brother Caiphus Semenya?

• Berlin World Athletics- Kenya's Performance

  Posted: August 24, 2009, 10:28 pm by SportsKenya

  
  First things first! Congratulations to those who won Kenya's gold medals. Special mention to the middle and long distance ladies for breaking Ethiopia's stronghold on the these distances.
  Secondly, I guess the Germans are finally waking up and warming up our hearts with their hosting sports events. They have shown us what technology, hospitality and efficiency can do to sport. Who can't remember the warmth of the mascot when the German discuss thrower won his event and they ran the breadth of the track at one point being carried on the back?
  
  
  Berlino does the Lightning Strikes with Bolt
  
  
  Bragging rights in order? We missed the medal count by 2 bronze medals. OK, we may have missed the events which we thought we would win medals in but all the same, our analysis was 85% on point. We will continue making these observations for major events based on season news,historical info and current happenings.
  Athletics Kenya needs to work on our team strategy which at some points seemed to be non-existent ( look at the 1500m men and the 5000m too). They may have done a good job reducing the number of Grand Prix events our athletes loving running in.
  Our tactical approach also needs serious honing, seems the ladies are picking something our gentlemen are missing.
  What happened to the short races especially the 400m? We used to challenge even in the relay and was waiting for this action yesterday only to see our fellow African brothers seriously humiliated.
  Looking forward to the African Athletics Championships in Nairobi next year ! Till then Wiedersehen & Karibu Sana !

• Rugby 7s to feature in 2016 Olympics

  Posted: August 14, 2009, 12:25 pm by SportsKenya

  For what would have been a worthy opportunity for Kenya's Rugby 7s team to showcase and fight for the medal standings, the wait has to be a little longer. The IOC has decided to consider the Rugby 7s as a feature sporting discipline in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games where the host city will be known on October 9th,2009 at the 121st IOC Session in Copenhagen.
  Cities bidding to host the Games include, Chicago, Rio de Janeiro, Madrid and Tokyo (which wishes to host the second time after first hosting in 1964). My take would be for Rio or Chicago (especially given Pres. Obama's strong endorsement).
  As for rugby 7s, the IRB had put a good show including Kenya's own Humphrey Khayange. Let's hope our Kenyan team will make the cut and we'll have developed a formidable team by then. 7 years is not too much to ask for preparations.
  Other sports considered for the 2012 Games are Women's Boxing. For the 2016 Games, Golf will also be featured.

• Athletics: World Championships Kenyan Team

  Posted: August 13, 2009, 5:53 pm by SportsKenya

  With the World Athletics Championships about to start from 15th August, Kenya has sent what I would put on paper as one of the strongest team to the German capital. With a fair share of the country's Olympic medallists qualifying, we can expect some real gold medal prospects for the country, but let's not humour ourselves too much.
  
  We will give a brief preview of medal prospects here;
  
  800m:
  (Men): Alfred Kirwa, last year's bronze medallist at the Olympics games & reigning champ is captain of the team ( will it be motivating like it was for Wilfred Bungei last year?. He is partnered by David Rudisha & Jackson Kivuva. OUR TAKE: GOLD & BRONZE
  ( Women): Last year's sensation in the athletics world,Pamela Jelimo and Janeth Jepkosgei will again be hot favourites for gold & silver if from the national qualifiers anything is to go by.OUR TAKE: GOLD & SILVER
  
  1500m:
  Men: Asbel Kiprop, with his signature one (not middle finger ...) salute on the finishing line will try graduate to the gold status. But American Kenyan-born Bernard Lagat and Olympic gold medallist Bahrain's Ramzi will be at hand to give the necessary competition. Kiprop has lieutenants in Augustine Choge & Haron Keitany to pace him up or they might upstage him and go for the prize. OUR TAKE: SILVER
  Women: This was a pleasant surprise last year during the Olympics and this time we might not get so lucky. Nancy Jebet seeks to crown her career with another gold and her compatriot Irene Jelagat will also make a run-in. OUR TAKE: NO MEDALS (Sorry, but the form book says otherwise)
  
  3000m steeplechase
  Men
  For what most Kenyans believe is their event, we expect nothing less and the boys have what it takes to do just that. Brimin Kipruto will seek to regain his world title while Richard Mateelong will hope to break the 'bronze medal' jinx.The Frenchman who is making a run in will be at it again but 4 Kenyans, you can't beat that! OUR TAKE: GOLD & BRONZE.
  Women
  Ruth Bosibori has been a rather patient athlete. She needs this to break free from the Olympics games disappointment. She has Gladys and Milkah to back her up and maybe just maybe, get to become like their brothers and start a ladies version of steeplechase supremacy. The Russians too will not be sleeping. OUR TAKE: SILVER
  
  5000m
  Men
  Ever since one Kenenisa Bekele happened on the scene, our Kenyan brothers have had nightmares and never really manage to fight these demons. They will be at it again and Eliud Kipchoge the only one closest to beating this Ethiopian legend may take a bow and honourably as such. Bernard Lagat may spoil the party but you never know. OUR TAKE: SILVER (Again !)
  Women
  This has been a tough preposition for our sisters and the Ethiopians led by Tirunesh Dibaba will be out to spoil the party as usual. OUR TAKE: BRONZE ( At the most!)
  
  10000m
  Men:
  Another of the specialties of the Ethiopian athletes, we need to find it within ourselves and make this happen. Another spoiler could be the Eritrean brother who won the 2007 who might get into the mix of things. OUR TAKE: SILVER (Oops, again!)
  Women
  The Ethiopians again run this town. I'd wish to say we can make the party but alas, not this time. OUR TAKE: No Medals
  
  Marathon
  Men:
  We have formidable team led by Robert 'Mwafrika' Cheruiyot-4 time Boston Marathon winner, who makes marathon running look like child's play. He will have Daniel Rono- Toronto Marathon winner & Abel Kirui , reigning Vienna Marathon winner who finished second in the Berlin Marathon where Haile Gebreselassie set a world record.Emmanuel Mutai and Benjamin Mutai complete the marathoners.
  OUR TAKE: GOLD & BRONZE ( we have the pedigree,baby!)
  Women:
  Hellen Kiprop, Martha Komu, Julie Murage and Irene Lemika & Risper Kimaiyo form our ladies charge for the marathon. Too bad Catherine 'The Great' Ndereba will not be at hand to defend her title,she would have offered great leadership and a medal too. OUR TAKE: No Medals ( Not enough pedigree...)
  
  (PREDICTED) TOTAL MEDAL HAUL : 4 Gold, 5 Silver and 4 Bronze.
  
  DID YOU KNOW ;
  - In the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Kenya finished second behind USA with 5 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze medals.
  
  - Overall, Kenya is the third most winning country with a total of 27 gold , 22 silver and 23 bronze. Fourth-placed Germany is just a gold medal away from overhauling us
  
  - Kenya did not win any Gold in the inaugural Games in 1983 but came back with a bang in 1987 to take 3 golds with a surprise win in the marathon by then little known Douglas Wakiihuri.
  
  For more updates, follow the event here.

• Concours D' Elegance 2009-Access Kenya in the House !

  Posted: August 12, 2009, 8:02 pm by SportsKenya

  This year's Concours d'Elegance will be running at the Nairobi Racecourse on 27th September. A major boon though is the title sponsorship of Access Kenya. With a prize money of KShs. 1.5 m and an additional 2 million for logistics including tickets, trophies, spectator attractions among others have been taken care of.
  The Concours is marking the 39th edition since the Alfa Romeo Owners'Club started this event in 1969. The event has been able to expand beyond the national boundaries and attract international interest such as the 2 South African cars and 2 motorcyclists from Tanzania. It has also attained continental interest and will for the fifth year be titled Africa Concours D'Elegance 2009.
  Access Kenya will hope to bring its expertise and among the expected platforms are live sms voting for the day's favourite car, wireless solutions among many others. They will hope to celebrate the landing of the fibre optic cable.
  Entrants are reminded that the cars entries are restricted to 70 while the motorbikes to 40. Already 80% of the slots are already taken, better hurry that paint job and engine tinker if you wish to parade your machine in this 'beauty show' for vehicles.
  Mark your calendars car and motorbike enthusiasts and we'll see you there !

• Spriteball Finals

  Posted: August 11, 2009, 3:43 pm by SportsKenya

  The Final round of the Spriteball comes to its grand finale at the Railways Sports Ground on Friday and Saturday on 14th & 15th August. After touring major towns in the country including Eldoret, Kisumu and Mombasa, the tour lands in town with lots of prospective youth in participation as this remains the main hub for talent in the game.
  On the panel is expected to include Juwan Antonio Howard-of Charlotte Bobcats which features in the US NBA, along with KBF officials
  Mark your calendars and make way to the grounds for this action-packed weekend !

• Monday Briefs...

  Posted: August 10, 2009, 7:35 pm by SportsKenya

  Coca-Cola Africa will be having the World Cup trophy make a trip into the country. This will be an interesting trip for the Cup which is to be hosted in Africa for the first time. Coke remains one of the major partners for FIFA and thus is only logical they sponsor such a trip.
  From media reports, Arsenal (maybe the reserves or one or two players) should be coming in this week for an exclusive with their fans in Kenya. This maybe too close to the start of the season thus nothing much to say. This invitations-only event is planned on Thursday. The trip is organised by Sky Data, Terry Neil Sports Service & Exclamation Marketing. ( Arsenal had a player by the name Terry Neil , so maybe that adds up...)

• African Football-Orange to colour the African continent

  Posted: August 10, 2009, 1:14 pm by SportsKenya

  With the Orange telecom company from France, covering the better part of the continent with its telecom services, they have raised their profile even higher in sports by sponsoring all Confederation of African Football (CAF)events.
  From media reports, the specific details have not been disclosed but the company has agreed to an 8-year sponsorship deal covering major tournaments like the African Cup of Nations, the African Champions League among others.
  The deal came through after the MTN 4-year deal came to an end. MTN is an official sponsor for the 2010 World Cup and also a major African telecom company.
  This will be an interesting preposition as next year sees the Cup of Nations open up the continent's football bonanza in Angola followed by the World Cup which we still hope(sic) will be hosted by South Africa.

• Spoccer -Kenyan Football News for you

  Posted: August 10, 2009, 12:24 pm by SportsKenya

  If you have been a keen follower of the Kenyan football scene, you have noticed we have quite a number of channels covering the game. With the Kenya football website, KPL website, the latest kid on the block is Spoccer. This is a monthly pocket-sized newsletter which also has a website. They have a number of highlights from the player of the month,monthly fixtures, national team news among others.
  This is a positive move forward. Given the level of interest the local league is attracting, such avenues will provide the necessary online support and provide the news to the rest of the world. We will witness an improvement in the game, as is demanded from the fans who have been given a raw deal over the last few years. Media deals, sponsorship deals from the corporate world and serious club structures will mean a movement towards achieving a truly professional league.
  Though KPL is yet to get there, with such ventures as this, they can only get better unless proven otherwise.The balls on their court, we're ready and kickin' the action !

• Another Boon for Sports

  Posted: August 7, 2009, 1:42 pm by SportsKenya

  The corporate world in Kenya seems to have smelt the coffee and finally woken up to the reality of the potential in sports. This week saw another company agree to sponsor Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association Games to be held later on this month in Malindi. This package's worth KShs. 5.5 million, no mean feat for junior sports, from Brookside Dairies.
  This is hot in the heels of another corporate's sponsorship of the same event-Barclays Bank of Kenya. The competition that corporate firms are having to sponsor this and that sport is really healthy and creating some buzz in the sports world. The exposure that we have gained through such initiatives is enormous and the company's too learn a thing or two about their target market.
  This is to hoping we shall see more and more money making its way into sport and investing in the younger lads. These guys are bursting off the blocks and are waiting in the wings, rugby 7s and athletics can attest to this.
  But we must not forget to keep the sports officials in check, they still need some serious professionalism infused. We can't lie down and expect heaven with monies pouring in, work for the next big thing. Ask the US Basketball Collegiate League and the NBA !

• AFC vs Gor Mahia- Days gone by

  Posted: August 7, 2009, 1:20 pm by SportsKenya

  
  
  One of Kenya's major sporting landmarks back in the day was a battle of the titans in Kenyan football, AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia. These two teams attracted huge fan bases. I can confess to have been a fan of one of the teams, and one of the first live matches which lured me into football back in the day involved one of these teams playing the local lads in our town ( yes I'm NOT the typical Nairobian though that's become like my hub for now...I digress).
  Armed with traditional dancers and all sorts of paraphernalia, the legions of fans had become the backbone of these teams and travelled far and wide to ensure the teams won their games. AFC Leopards was the first team in the region to win the CECAFA Club Championship 3 times. They have also won the League 12 times. On the other hand, Gor Mahia is the only East African club to have won the African Club Cup Winners Cup back in 1987 and also follow AFC closely with 11 wins of the League.
  That was then.
  Right now the two clubs are faring badly with AFC at the bottom of the table while Gor Mahia is also flirting with the bottom half of the table standings. This weekend the 2 teams face off at Nyayo Stadium against a backdrop of heavy stakes on either side; AFC looking to regain their winning ways while Gor Mahia can't afford another loss as their fans have demonstrated rather loudly.
  If you feel inclined to shout yourself hoarse and also risk a limb or two, be there tomorrow afternoon. If you are like some of others, please stay at home and watch the game on SuperSport.

• Kenyan Football- National jokers !

  Posted: August 7, 2009, 1:08 pm by SportsKenya

  I thought I was not reading it right but the Kenyan national team( 105th on FIFA rankings) is planned to play friendly games in Malaysia, South East Asia. Yes Malaysia, ranked 152nd in the world ! What criteria do our football officials use to get these friendlies that they play before crucial matches? From the rankings, it would even be better playing our neighbours Uganda who are the highest ranked East Africans at 75th place.
  Or maybe we are trying to be like the European teams whose mission there is more commercial than anything? Or maybe we will re-discover our firepower? The weather is unfavourable and there are just enough reasons why this trip stinks to high heaven.
  Tell us FKL officials, what's this all about?

• Sir Bobby Robson- Football Legend departs

  Posted: August 1, 2009, 3:07 pm by SportsKenya

  
  Bobby & Jose at Barcelona's triumph -1997 European's Cup Winners Cup
  
  One of football's legend departed from us yesterday after a long battle with cancer. I remember him most as the English manager who led the England team into the semi-finals ( painfully for us who favoured Cameroon's dream run ) in the 1990 World Cup in Italy. He also mentored another great coach Jose Mourinho and managed a number of English teams. SportsKenya takes a bow to this legend !

• World Athletics Championships-Media madness

  Posted: August 1, 2009, 1:21 pm by SportsKenya

  Is it me or does the media just get wrong all the time when we have training for major meets? The other day, as I was watching the sports news I saw this media house cover the training session of the national team as they went through their paces after moving their training from the major stadia which are hosting other sports events.
  They maybe looking for a news item (as they are almost always short of local content...) but the damage they do to our sports personalities is irreparable. If you check other sports networks, they usually avail themselves for training sessions for sports like football and try get their news from there. The teams are usually very secretive of what and how much access is given to media.
  The same ought to be done to our national team. That's why we have people called media liaisons. When you are up against some of the most competitive teams like the Ethiopians, Eritreans and North Africans as well as upcoming individual talents from France (in 3000m steeplechase), Ugandans, Qataris among others; you don't go telling the world what you are doing.
  Take a case of what Kenya's Harambee Stars coach Hey has done and banned media from shooting training sessions of the team. The same needs to be done and if there any burning issues, the media should seek proper briefs not seeing some images of a Tv crew blowing dust to a team on a mission to keep our image up there ( not our doomed politicians who keep shooting themselves time and again).
  
  Was that a bird, was that a plane, no it's the AK Bus !
  
  Athletics Kenya, I'll do this for free but please moderate or even ban these guys !

• 10 Reasons why Football is better than Cricket

  Posted: July 31, 2009, 2:28 pm by SportsKenya

  10 Reasons why Football is better than Cricket
  I found this interesting and thought of sharing it...read on.

• Swimming body bans suit as Kenya's own burst his twice...

  Posted: July 30, 2009, 1:49 pm by SportsKenya

  
  FINA, the international swimming federation has banned the swimming gear from all competitions from next year. This is due to the number of world records that keep breaking even before the previous ones have been recorded.
  
  I would beg to differ with that thought since in as much as the costume aid the swimmers in setting new times, the sport is highly technical and prone to close times. The swimmers train hard and the times we see are as a result of this. When some official steps up to say that some piece of synthetic cloth is making a difference, they are in short looking for excuses.
  Our very own Jason Dunford burst his suit twice yesterday and had to contend with a borrowed from our 'friendly' neighbours Uganda to compete in the 50m fly. Goes to show why you can't sever ties with your friends...
  So now what will the pool swimmers look like ?

• Will you Pass the Test, Zooming Zuma

  Posted: July 30, 2009, 12:27 pm by SportsKenya

  
  
  
  Oh Lord, please tell me I'm dreaming ...
  
  After hosting the Confederations Cup with a measure of success, South Africans have decided to provide the first real test for Pres. Zuma and his government. This is even glowing credits from FIFA's big boys led by Sepp Blatter.
  First it was the striking stadium workers. Given that South Africa has some real discrepancies in the income ranges and also has an expensive labour force, this was bound to happen sooner or later. Construction workers are no exception to this.
  Secondly, a growing expatriate population especially from the Zimbabwe, and even as farther up as Kenya has seen the local populace become rather uncomfortable with the opportunities that these 'foreigners' get and the monies paid.
  Another issue, is the 'over-promising' that the ANC politicos made during thier campaigns to retain power. Some 500,000 jobs were promised even as the economy was starting to reel from the recession that was bound to land on their coast. Funny that that promise has now been rescinded.
  This is a very precarious position that the 2010 WC hosts put the rest of Africa in. With the foreign media jumping at any opportunity to get at the insecurity concerns of the country,it will take a lot of PR and serious restructuring of the security agencies. The local citizens also need to know that they have the chance of a lifetime hosting this magnanimous tournament, and are jeopardising future contenders for international events in Africa.
  Your excellency, Zuma Jacob, over to you !
  Check out this blog for more info...

• Controversy brews in Brazilian Samba (pensioners) Kenyan trip

  Posted: July 29, 2009, 3:58 pm by SportsKenya

  As we had earlier reported, it's true the Brazilian football team was making a trip into Kenya. The ONLY small bit in the fine print was the fact that these were the retired players. This has led the Football Kenya Limited management to cry foul and claim they are not in need of 'tutoring' lessons from the Brazilians.
  I would seek to entertain a different point here by the fact that, in all fairness, we can't call up the first team of the current Brazilian national team. It's way beyond our league to even try thinking of. The best we could get is a pep talk with a select side.Their main players are already in Europe preparing for the upcoming season while the others are back in South America as their national league continues (-:
  You may need to know that their sponsors are very specific about such friendlies and what value will arise from it. It has to make commercial sense and not just some patchwork of a game. Planning my friends, planning !
  
  As such, we can start with the older brothers who would offer invaluable experiences to the Kenyan boys. You never know, we could even have one or two left behind to offer technical expertise to the national team management ( that is if German coach allows it...)
  
  Eat humble pie FKL ! You too ambitious thinking of hosting such giants while you're still sorting your backyard.

• FYI- Brazilian Team makes Nairobi Trip

  Posted: July 26, 2009, 6:05 pm by SportsKenya

  From unconfirmed reports, we learn that the Brazilian football team will make a brief trip in the country starting Tuesday/Wednesday and a dinner planned for the Safari Park Hotel (at Ksh.5000 per plate). We will give you more details on the trip once the itinerary is confirmed.

• Odumbe's ban comes to an end- any comeback ?

  Posted: July 25, 2009, 5:19 pm by SportsKenya

  One of the harshest bans ever slapped on a Kenyan sports personalities comes to an end next month. All who loved the Kenyan team which conquered the cricket giants in 1996, we all remember our very own Maurice Odumbe.
  OK, the jury is still out there as to what happened between him and the book-maker. That his lifestyle had suddenly become flashy did not help his case much. What I found hypocritical was the fact that a West Indian player had been caught with a book-making offence even caught on camera but the ICC banned him for only 2 years.
  Well, the ICC might not really love our Kenyan cricket officials and may have wanted to make an example of our gifted cricket brother. Maybe they may have even conspired to kill any inspiration that he may have had, you know the team's Achilles' heel? Who knows maybe that's why we have seen such deteriorating standards in the game since our cricket players are scared of stepping on the wrong coals.
  Anyway enough of my hearsay, Odumbe's ban officially ends on August 4th as he marks his 40th birthday. Shall we see one of the best cricketers to grace our cricket grounds back on the crease? The cricket World Cup is next year and you never know. Only time will tell.
  Additional info from Coastweek.com

• Coke makes a detour into Basketball (or is it coming back home?)

  Posted: July 24, 2009, 9:58 pm by SportsKenya

  After enjoying a 10-year hiatus, the Spriteball is back ! This time the round of events being sponsored by Coke once again to the tune of KShs. 40 m, will seek to scout for basketballers to attend ' Basketball With Border's camp in South Africa.
  With Coca-Cola regional office trying to save face after the embarrassing stadium saga that caused quite a ruckus, they have decided to take a slight turn into a dying sport.
  
  Logo courtesy of Coca-Cola
  This time, there seems to be some seriousness more than just the usual fun for the participating teams. According to media reports, Coke has partnered with Miles & Associates International(MAI) to have mini-camps in four towns in the country before finishing off at Nairobi.
  The flagship brand for this promotion, Sprite had last year tried a similar concept with the HomeBoyz Events organisers which didn't quite catch on as the previous Spriteball event held in 1999. See previous post here.
  The monies invested will be used to develop basketball courts and will involve the renovation of the Railways Club which hosts the Nairobi Basketball Association games as well as a training ground for quite a number of teams including the ladies national team.
  One may hope this can awaken the Kenya Basketball Federation officials to commercialise the game. I have said it over and over that these guys need look at what potential the game has and run away it.
  
  Spriteball in Ghana
  As for Spriteball, who will be the next Kingsley Makokha or Sidney Wafula ?

• Sports Personality of the Year 2009 for 2009

  Posted: July 24, 2009, 9:39 pm by SportsKenya

  Kenya's premiere award gala event will this year hope to reward the outstanding sports personalities before the end of the year. This is a positive move after the previous events tended to spill into the new year making it difficult to keep track of performances.
  It is also a step in the right direction since it will ensure that sports people give their level best as they seek nomination for the awards. Quite a number of the sporting disciplines have their events calendars marked alongside that of the calendar year.
  Main sponsors -Safaricom-will continue sponsoring the event this time pledging at least Kshs. 7 m. This is enhancing its commitment to the development of local sports and sports events.
  Kudos to Paul Tergat in line with making a worthy contribution to the sports scene while still active. A popular figure both locally and internationally, he has the unofficial tag of 'Kenya's sports ambassador'. His outfit which manages the event, FineTouch Communications will ensure the event runs smoothly as it did this year. Can't wait to be part of the event!

• Cricket: Another Sad Tale as Kenya dithers again

  Posted: July 21, 2009, 10:48 pm by SportsKenya

  There are times I feel like throwing the gauntlet on the Kenyan sporting scene and getting on to something else but that would be giving in too soon. The cases created by our sports managers keeps putting to question whether we are cursed just like our political side of things. Where did the rain start beating us?
  As we had reported about Athletics Kenya losing out on hosting next year's Youth Athletics Championships ( I'm not convinced by Hosea Kiplagat's words saying they have a secretariat running...), the Cricket Kenya officials have allowed a similar tournament for the cricket fraternity to slip through their fingers.
  They say that they were preparing the grounds and still looking for sponsors.The little work going on of refurbishing the grounds was fair enough but even more urgent was securing sponsorship funds and the lucrative media rights which would have seen substantial income for CK.
  Maybe they would have borrowed a leaf from the South African officials who managed to get India to move the Indian Cricket Premier League which still attracted a sizeable number of fans and audience across the country and into the global scene.
  Synergies can be developed with SuperSport and work out something along the lines of the Kenya Premier League. But then again our local cricket scene has been sidelined and seems overtaken by events and is quickly sinking into oblivion.
  What sluggards do we have running this office?
  As we write this, Kenyan officials are also on the lookout for a new coach after Andy Kirsten's contract came to an end. Not much achieved under him, but we managed to qualify for the World Cup to be held in Asia next year. Hmm !

• Do some fans have a monopoly over others in Kenya?

  Posted: July 21, 2009, 5:43 pm by SportsKenya

  Over the last few weeks, since the resumption of the Kenya Premier League, the script has not changed much especially for the former bigwigs of Kenyan football. AFC Leopards even went to the extreme of recruiting over 18 players making a complete makeover. But the effect of that is yet to be felt.
  But even with the team still bottom of the table, their fans have not behaved like hooligans except of course the game they interfered with at City Stars Hope Centre Grounds at Kawangware early in the season.
  Which brings me to the now infamous Gor Mahia fans...since when did it become their prerogative to think they are the only fans who can cheer? Their actions in the last two weekends leave a lot to be desired and as if KPL has no teeth, they just watch as these guys wreak havoc on other progressive fans of the game.
  Since when did vuvuzelas have an official custodian? And if so when did they pay the royalties for the same? And I didn't know you can't play your drums before a game of Gor Mahia...All these actions taking place in the glare of international coverage and local security agencies?
  I think they are lucky the likes of some of us are not managing football in Kenya. a TOTAL BAN of 5 games should be effected to put a lid on some of these archaic habits. These guys are living in the 19th century. Read more here

• Oliech ....we gettin Arab money !!!

  Posted: July 3, 2009, 5:39 pm by SportsKenya

  Kenyan's star player who has lately buckled under intense criticism for not getting his mojo back for the Kenyan national team, has decided to move back to the Arab world. The player returns to the peninsula after a disaster for a season with 2 goals for his club -Auxerre. Though he may say this deal is worth the while, SK thinks he is about to call it quits in the professional circles.For those who follow football, the only competitive League in the Arab world is the Turkish League which has the Galatasarays and Fenerbaches which have even featured in the Champions League proper, that to me would have been a better proposal.We all know when you use your kin as management and also when the $$$ starts getting into your head. This and the shenanigans played by local players thinking they will have the seemingly sums for life only for you to leave the game dishonourably ought to figure for this brother....but then as Busta Rhymes says it we gettin' Arab money ...
  

• CECAFA Club Championships 2009 -Sudan

  Posted: June 30, 2009, 4:29 pm by SportsKenya

  While the Kenyan local scene dithers, the regional club scene raises the tempo starting today with the annual tournament today. Kenyans representatives include Tusker FC who are also the defending champs, along with Mathare United. These two clubs have been more consistent locally than most in recent times.But comparing them with the competition they are upto will be no easy task and the local scene has not helped either. Much bickering between Football Kenya and KPL has seen the football standards dwindle compared to last season. The management has also been a round of chairs with TuskerFC most affected. Mathare have also struggled this season currently lying at 9th in the KPL.The tournament organisers have put a good job forward and from images coming for Sudan, the pitches look favourable for play. The prize money has also been raised from the annual US$ 60,000 with the Sudanese company El Merreikh adding US$ 600, 000. Winners will take home $50,000 , 2nd place $ 30,000 and 3rd place $ 20,000.The clubs representing their countries look formidable especially KCC (Uganda), El Merreikh and El Arab(both from Sudan-home advantage) and TP Mazembe ( Congo DRC) who have been invited to replace Ethiopia and Eritrean withdrawals.I hope KBC will consider screening some of the matches ( freebie Kenyan in me). I do also hope CECAFA can secure sponsorship for the Senior Challenge Cup which is scheduled for later this year after the withdrawal of the now-defunct GTV who were the sole sponsors.It ought to be a fairly well-attended affair if some of the countries do indeed qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations since the World Cup qualifiers have shown none of the countries in the region will qualify thus far.
  
  

• Samba Boys in Kenya...

  Posted: June 30, 2009, 4:13 pm by SportsKenya

  FYI: WE ARE AFRAID TO INFORM YOU THAT DUE TO THE BUSY SCHEDULE OF THE BRAZILIAN NATIONAL TEAM PLAYERS AND THEIR DELAYED SUMMER HOLIDAY OFF A BUSY SEASON, THEY WILL NOT BE COMING TO THE BELOVED COUNTRY OF KENYA-PRIDE OF AFRICA...ANY DASHED HOPES ARE HIGHLY REGRETTED !!!
  

  Either we're still in April 1st or some prankster was playing one on me, according to unconfirmed reports, the victorious Brazilian national team was scheduled to visit the country for a couple of commitments including a luncheon at the famed Carnivore Restaurant.Well, I'll hold my breath for now and wait for further confirmations but I thought there would be at least one of the teams from the Confederations Cup making a stop-over at the hub of East and Central Africa. Guess we're not up to it yet...

  
  Kaka- I'll see you when you get there.

• More Money More Problems ?

  Posted: June 30, 2009, 2:19 pm by SportsKenya

  Last week, Athletics Kenya held the National Championships which though had a low profile, were fairly successful. The organisation seems to enjoy some measure of success enough to attract corporate sponsorship-the latest being the National Bank of Kenya's Sh. 16 m deal-for the junior, youth and kids athletics programme.According to media reports, this sports organisation had a surplus of Sh.22 m last financial year despite being the busiest association. I believe in terms of financial muscle, they command the most for local sports organisation.
  But despite this, there seems to be some under-currents with the officials wrangles simmering quietly. This was brought about by the candidature and subsequent election of David Okeyo-the current Secretary General and now Vice-Chair National Olympics Committee of Kenya-NOCK. The latter is a powerful sports body in the country drawing affiliation to the International Olympics Committee which is almost any sports official's dream to manage. The current chair runs the organisation roving like a colossus and not entertaining any dissent. Okeyo's election didn't go down well with him and has since been on a silent licking of the wounds and he tries to outdo his junior. My concern is that these internal wars will eventually spill onto the scene when the country least expects it. We have the World Athletics Championships in August. The country has amost certainly lost the bid to host the Junior contintental championships which the association ought to have secured given the good rapport enjoyed with the Government officials. I have said before for us to secure the interests of our sportsmen and women, we need to run these organisations more professionally and allow more transparency to occur. That way we save more than a fair share of funds committed and the country's image is secured in the same vein. Well let's see how far this goes....
  Additional Information:The AK had last year published their annual report complete with a financial report for public consumption- for the year ended 31st December 2007. This year they have scanty information on a badly developed and maintained website ( must have cost less than 150$- to develop and host).According to media reports, they have sponsorships of Kshs.4.5m from New KCC for the national trials, sh. 4.6m from KCB for the national cross-country championships, sh. 7.5m from StanChart for the Nairobi Marathon and now the 16m from National Bank. There must be some unmentioned monies from sponsors like Nike and the IAAF grants.
  

• Confederations Cup: Labour of Love for South Africa

  Posted: June 24, 2009, 8:53 pm by SportsKenya

  
  Vuvuzela...crime and the samba boys seem to be the main headlines from Africa's 1st Confederations Cup. There are many things that we can write about but from the pitch I have watched top notch games, better than some international competitive games. Maybe I'm biased here being African, but it seem the Confed Cup is finally becoming more than a formality for most teams.Logistics and infrastructural problems aside, South Africa has shown it can hold its own in hosting a major sports events. Though FIFA chief Sepp Blatter had to make available free tickets, given the prior 'non-significance' given to the event, I can't place too much credence to that argument. The security issue, I see some sensationalisation with that too but the SA authorities need take that into consideration. Pres. Zuma had better arm his people with enough 'umshini' by 2010. They can't repeat such incidences like what happened to Egypt and Brazil players however much hotel authorities may play down the issue.The European kings made it known their intention to win the Confed Cup (and they are my favs), qualifying with 3 clean sheets. They seem to building strength upon strength and the game against South Africa was my best example of their tactical choices. Considering they are even without their top midfielders in Senna and Iniesta, any team ought to shiver at the thought of meeting them.The Brazilians on the other hand survived an onslaught from the Egyptians and they have seemed shaky at the back but they have devastated opponents with their counter-attacks. (Image courtesy of Adidas)The Final for me should be Spain vs Brazil though Spain vs South Africa would be ideal for ticket sales and acceptability across the continent. But then again, this is football and anything can happen. Come Sunday and we shall be crowning new Confederations champions !Dempsey breaks Spanish defence a second time- Image courtesy of Getty Images
  UPDATE:US beats Spain 2-0; well again against the formbook, Obama's boys did the unthinkable and reached the Final of this unpredictable tournament. I eat humble pie for not even considering them as favourites. Now my critics are piling attacks saying it's the grass that does the talking on any particular day. On a positive note, this creates a fan-base wider than the usual European audience. If winning the ConFed Cup is bound to make the game more appealing to the Americans then let it be. More incentive for Pres. Obama to come to Africa next year if the US qualifies for the World Cup...

• Athletics:- African Championships in 2010, what is going on?

  Posted: June 23, 2009, 5:14 pm by SportsKenya

  While the restof the sporting fraternity is focussed on the 2010 World Cup, we have a small matter of the African Athletics Championship which we ought to be thinking about. From media reports, we might as good as not hosting it thanks to the ongoing squabbles between the Ministry of Sport and Athletics Kenya officials.When Kenya was awarded this honour, it goes without saying ,it was long overdue just as it was with the 2007 World Cross-Country championships. Even though we didn't win the individual races, the event had the impact of changing the fortunes of Mombasa and the country in hosting sports events. But as we lost our senses come the Elections, we seem not to have woken from that slumber.The current Minister, who I'm increasingly seeing as a handicap to sports in Kenya has made it known that she has not been properly briefed by the former Minister. The Government has also remained mum about any funds committed towards the event. By now an organising committee ought to be in place, having visited previous hosts and looked into ways of improving on that offering.We also need to appoint more accountable officials not like what we had with the World Cross-Country championships where they took more than 6 months to produce a dubious report which seems to have been forgotten, thanks to the rubbing of hands here and there.As for Athletics Kenya, I said here before, we are stuck in a rut in terms of developing new ideas for the discipline. What do you expect when officials have monopolised offices for the last decade?

• Surfing Sevens !

  Posted: June 23, 2009, 4:19 pm by SportsKenya

  (Photo by Daudi Were)
  Over the weekend Kenya entertained a host of teams who came forth to play the Safari Sevens which formed the foundation of one of the blossoming sides of the game in the IRB Series. Most of the Kenyans would applaud this which I would to given the height it has taken the game to.But I believe we are becoming complacent in the event. Why do we need to keep inviting sides which we know all too well we are going to beat? Why have the Emerging Boks from South Africa instead of engaging the Springboks proper? We can not claim to be competitive when playing lower cadre teams.Secondly I think most of the corporate sponsorship which came by was misplaced. Everyone wants to the 'official' this or the 'official' that...there was almost Official Air-supply for the Tournament . What these corporates need to do is negotiate with the KRFU and see how they can commit to a certain aspect of the tournament. Say for instance, sponsor air tickets for visiting teams. This way we can see more competition and meaningful sponsorship. Thirdly, I think it's about time, the organisers looked into expanding the venues to accomodate bigger crowds and also improve the surrounding infrastructure. The chaos that characterises the venue and the roads leading to the venue are despicable. If the KRFU is to hope to host the Safari Sevens as part of the IRB circuit, they must look into this.This leads me to ask if they are waiting for a miracle or have they beckoned the IRB for inclusion in the circuit. Though we are some way into the top 4 teams of the IRB Sevens series, we can start working towards inclusion. This can be justified with the continued improvement in the teams' performance and the passion of the players. We can't say we have a local professional league yet to develop the talent needed for the same but we are some way into it, that's KRFU's job again. The lads need to become proper professionals and teams can work around developing the game by having 7s teams in their roster.That much said, we need to look beyond pleasing local fans and having one drunken weekend. As Tall said, the challenge now for the team is maintaining the performances we have seen in the last 2 seasons. It will be harder now since teams will be on the look-out for us.Over to you, Mr Omwela !

• Kenyan Football dithers....

  Posted: May 29, 2009, 12:31 pm by SportsKenya

  
  It is not anything new on Kenyan football. The usual noise about the national team has been covered elsewhere adequately. That the now infamous stadium naming disconcertation is still being discussed in Parliament, really no suprises !Let's think though of the missed opportunities ;1) Kenya's playing Nigeria in 2 weeks:- in protest, I will not even bother watching the game. We were to have some friendlies as part of the preparations but all we've seen is a mulish coach and non-committal club coaches and players. 2) FIFA Confederations Cup:- In June also the winners of the respective continental cups at national level and the current World Cup winners congregate in South Africa, to test the grounds and preparedness of the host nation to host next year's World Cup. Kenya being the hub of the region is undoubtedly supposed to host a team or two even if it's for 3-5 days before they descend to SA. That is not looking good from my vintage point. With our priorities geared to self-destruction, other countries in the region are waiting with glee. Watch the Tanzanians and Rwandans too.3) 201o World Cup:- It's no open secret that the South African will want to reap as much from the tournament as possible. There's a general feeling that maybe they are not sharing some of the fringe benefits expected from the same. They are working around the clock to ensure they get it right. Given the rivalry in regional and continental circles, and also our skewed politics; we're not in the picture. The lack of commercial commitment from sports associations (especially the KFF or is it Football Kenya?) has heightened this. Let's not be under any illusions that we can start making this happen next year, too late ! I will make a suggestion here ( after chatting with a leading sports administrator in Tanzania about their 2014 preparations), let's forget the 2010 World Cup and move on with life ! If there are good tidings from transit visitors , that's as much as we can hopefully organise well. As for the rest, let's start afresh.
  Local Football Scene:After hoping for fireworks for the first-half of the Kenya Premier League, I'm one disillusioned Kenyan. Though most clubs promised us quality games and with SuperSport screening the weekend games, they have not delivered the goods. With resignations and firings left, right and centre, you can expect the second-half to be as slow if not worse. Anyone willing to buy the KPL? We can sell it to willing-buyers (caveat emptor) as we're ransoming the rest of the country to hooligans and gangs. 

• Rhino Charge Weekend

  Posted: May 29, 2009, 11:58 am by SportsKenya

  Wow, it has been a crazy week for those living in Nairobi. What with the rains which pour appropriately an hour or so before official working hours. Some of you have been wading through the waters into the house late into the night.Not to worry. This weekend you can find yourself in the wild at the Rhino Charge, this time hosted at Mogotio- Rift Valley. The brief is to enjoy a ride out of town and engage in a race in the wild covering the shortest distance after briefing and using all sorts of means to get there.All this is for a good cause as you would know the money raised is used by the Rhino Ark to fence the Aberdare Forest which is one of the country's water sources and major forest hosting wildlife which is a main attraction for anyone visiting the country.Take the weekend off, it's going to be a long one (thanks to the holiday on Monday), enjoy the ride.
  More Action:As you make your way to the Rhino Charge on Sunday, do take a detour tomorrow to make a visit to the Great Rift Rugby tournament which starts today. This is one of the main attractions on the local rugby scene and coming post-Impala Floodlights , it is bound to be explosive. For more details check here. You can also watch the IRB Rugby 7s Series which comes to an end this weekend at the Edinburgh - Scotland Sevens-the last in the circuit. A good way to crown a great tournament. 

• English dominance, conspiracies and machinations

  Posted: May 28, 2009, 12:33 am by SportsKenya

  By now all you're hearing are chants of Viva Barca and the hollow excuses of ManU fans as they lick their wounds from the show  last night. Show yes it was, if you are a football fan( not to the extent of doing this), you must have loved what the Spanish team did at Rome.My brief though takes me back to the disputed semi-final between Barcelona and Chelsea where one D.Drogba turned into one gawking menacing figure infront of the camera, screaming 'it's a disgrace'.  It was said that maybe there was a theory from the UEFA chiefs of containing English teams which saw 3 out of the last 4 coming from England. 
  Well if you look at the amounts up for grabs, you would tend to see why they would want to spread more love across Europe. Sepp Blatter -FIFA's topdog and Michel Platini have never tried to hide their disdain for the English League, especially considering the commercial success that they have seen since 1992 and managed to eclipse most European football leagues. They are also against the high price tags that players continue to attract thus making it a free-for-all trade. 
  
  Thank you my son....job well done ! Hehehe , hors de combat Anglais ...! Platini seems to tell wanderkid Messi
  
  UEFA even instituted new measures to ensure that the 4th placed English team meets a worthy opponent from an almost competitive league, say in Germany, Italy, France or Spain. No more easy passes playing teams from Eastern Europe with little sting.
  An Italian coach (or was it?) the other day mentioned that the English teams continue winning trophies but using foreign players thus not strengthening their national squads. I could agree with that since they've only won the World Cup (1966) and almost always are tagged as favourites by their rather excitable Press. Back to UEFA, I guess then the conspiracy against the English teams was fulfilled in a swashbuckling display of football.  Food for thought?

• NBA : Mismatch or Underdogs come alive ?

  Posted: May 27, 2009, 3:56 pm by SportsKenya

  Basketball enthusiasts will not doubt be seeing two of the best franchises  2008-9 season or two other franchises which have never won the NBA Finals ever ! Well, the media had hyped a Cleveland Cavaliers vs L.A Lakers more of  Lebron 'King' James vs Kobe Bryant finale ! The billing was for these two and who is hoping to be the 'anointed one' after Michael Jordan's era in the late 1980s and 90s. From what we have seen there is a shift with some of the so-called underdogs going basket-for-basket with the top teams. Orlando Magic which has appeared only once in the NBA Finals (then with young Shaq 'Attack' O'Neal and Afernee 'Penny' Hardaway-where did he go to ?) and never won any rings. As for the Denver Nuggets, this is their third Conference Final and hopefully first NBA Final. This shift has been occassioned by the very fluid market that has the players moving teams even within the season. These trades as they are called have meant that a team can start slow and look to make strategic buys within the season and as some of these do, strengthen for the Play-offs. The rigors and physical demands could also attribute to this. Another important factor is the wider appreciation of foreign players, meaning more players from the European and Asian professional leagues are making it into the NBA making it more competitive.As I usually say, these guys know the business of sports and adopt to the rapid changes that the world sees on a day-to-day basis. If we can borrow just 30% of what these guys do, our sports administration can move miles ahead of others in the region. KBF, not even the scraps are coming your way....
  Join me though in hoping to see the underdogs come through ( go Howard, go Billups) and let's see the new kids on the block ! 
  

• NOCK Elections...same old same old !

  Posted: May 27, 2009, 1:10 pm by SportsKenya

  One of Kenya's oldest sports association held its elections over the weekend with the usual controversies about this and that post. The association attracts some of the most lucrative deals ranging from sponsorship deals with the partners of the International Olympic Committee such as Nike and others; to annual grants from the same body and also Government support. Again the same officials are usual gallivanting across the world being lavished by various cities as they wish to win their votes as they bid for the Olympic Games. These among other trappings make more attractive than other associations in town. Given that their mandate too only becomes busy when the country's team is about to go for the Olympics, these guys enjoy one of the easiest rides in sports administration.Thus when one veteran official lamented that he was being sidelined from the gravy train- ironic since he's also led the athletics' world with similar if not worse tactics- even though the second most powerful official from the same body was reportedly able to sneak in his nomination papers for the same position our official was fighting for.Well, most of the officials maintained their positions but the exception ( and I hope she doesn't disappoint) is the election of Catherine Ndereba as a committee member. Her election is precedent since most sports bodies are led by retired hands in their disciplines. The transition she will make into sports administration may augur well for the future of sports in the country. I only wish the same was translating into the sports bodies....But surely why do we need officials holding office for 2-3 terms yet they are not adding value to the sport ? Talk about a revolution !

• Alcohol Bill: Are we fed up with investing in Kenya?

  Posted: May 22, 2009, 11:31 am by SportsKenya

  
  While I'm increasingly fed up with politicos in Kenya generally, I guess these guys have a way of into our skins than we thought. If not asking for more money for their bloated habits,they are busy greasing each other's hands to get this or that Bill or sanction passed or dropped. They have become busy protecting their turf's which are barely having any grass. But if what they are prescribing in the so-called Alcohol Bill is anything to go by, we can as well close shop and hand ourselves to the dryers! How do you prescribe to ban ALL forms of advertising relating to alcohol? From sponsorship deals, to the advertising in the media and any related form such as 'corporate social responsibility' will suffer from the ban. You're looking at investments worth over Ksh. 1 billion ( EABL spent KSh. 902 million in advertising alone last year coming in 3rd in the top 10 of monies spent in advertising in the country). Who comes up with this stuff anyway?If the guys who draft these things are out of areas to pursue, they can talk a walk downtown Nairobi and see the realities of our harsh life in the City. And if they are trying to reduce the intake of alcohol, WRONG MOVE !True the trends we are seeing in the country need checking but banning ALL adverts won't change that. I'm reminded of what the US did in the 1920s & 30s declaring alcohol and tobacco 'sin products' and banning their sale. They became contraband and such attractive business for crime rings that they eventually had to revised the stand. Economic woes including the 1929-30s Great Depression did not save the situation ( can you see the similarities with what we are facing?)Imagine not having the Safari Sevens, the Tusker Golf Open, the Kenya football team(however bad they play they are still Kenyans) without any branding on their shirts? Let's not give this thing a chance,I'm sure the companies affected will not take this lying down.Truly our politicians have outdone themselves this time !
  

• A Rose by any other Name….

  Posted: May 20, 2009, 9:36 pm by SportsKenya

  
  

  UPDATE:

  Thanks to the short-sighted nature of our politicals, Coca-Cola has cancelled the KSh.117m deal with the SSMB. After what the Coca-Cola Country Manager, Alex Maditsi said is 'untenable' referring to the Minister's demand that the name be changed to Nyayo Coca-Cola Stadium. Don't we love shooting ourselves in the foot all the time? And we thought we were heading somewhere lest we miss the 2010 bus? A fellow Minister said it on Wednesday that we're not doing enough to attract business relating to the World Cup.Lost, truly despicable !

  For those in the know, we had one of the ground-breaking moments to applaud the Sports Stadia Management Board pulling through a deal, having one of the biggest local stadiums named.

  This went on well and even as the stadium hosted the national team in a qualifier in March, we were still smiling with glee at the prospects this had on the sporting world. But no sooner had the ink dried on paper than some Government operatives started throwing tantrums about this and that – not being ‘consulted’ the other being the name change…of course this is what they bought RIGHTS , duh?

  Now I have never had serious reservations with the Minister in charge of sports (some of my kin think she’s always quick to jump into some glory which may not even have been associated with the Ministry’s efforts or none therein).

  But getting messages from sporting enthusiasts about the insistence on the name “Nyayo” sticking to the stadium that is now Coca-Cola Stadium, I begun having my misgivings about the whole thing. If you don’t know sports business, please Ms Minister stick to the welcoming delegations and the visits to the Hill accompanying departing teams. You can also enjoy  a game or two of rugby in your many overseas trips as well as visit the major capitals of the world as a Kenyan is bound to win a marathon, road-race or athletic meet in any of those.

  Please keep out of the business side of things, you’ve proved to be just like other Government operatives of which I have little respect for as many of the Kenyans can attest to right now.

   

  SIDENOTE:The Sports Stadia Management Board was supposed to get its new head a few months back but the first appointee lost his life on a road accident while the current ‘appointee’ – (who incidentally served as an educationist in the national union…’****!!!??P????P)Two wrongs do not make a right (as cliché as it may sound)…follow the due process Ms Minister ! Tragedy, real tragedy……

• Sports Purism

  Posted: May 20, 2009, 8:39 pm by SportsKenya

  
  

  This tempest is not about to end anytime soon. Such has been the drama and disillusions in sports in Kenya that at times you wonder why we even bother follow our sporting scene. My misgivings have been on quite a number of things….

  Starting with the basketball federation which could not resolve the issue of representation of clubs in the voting process- which I think has been long overdue, how else do you play the league without the clubs?- onwards to the ever-boring sagas of football in Kenya, the poisoned chalice that is sports associations in Kenya to the now irksome business of naming a stadium.

  For sports purists and practitioners who hope to make sports in Kenya what it ought to be, these shenanigans WILL NOT STOP US from achieving that and for those who thought this fire’s been put out, THINK AGAIN !  

• Sam Mwai's Legacy

  Posted: April 21, 2009, 12:09 am by SportsKenya

  One of Kenya's most consistent and visible sports management practitioners had his term expire. He who managed to bring the shine back to two of the country's biggest and most noticeable stadia. One of his last briefs was the negotiation of the naming rights of the Nyayo National Stadium into the Coca-Cola Stadium.
  When he was appointed back in 2003, I thought this was another of the snobbish uptight guys fit for a fairway types. He managed to sit in well with most of the staff and slowly built a legacy which I hope the successor doesn't trample all over it.
  
  Actual image of Kasarani Stadium at night- photo courtesy of SSMB
  
  
  Well as they say, one journey comes to an end another starts...I'm sure this is not the last we have heard of Sam. The upcoming golf clubs and some really impressive one at the Coast may think of hiring his services-where he started.
  Better still he may serve as a consultant for the Sports Stadia Management Board which still needs a hand in quickly revamping a couple of other stadia countrywide as we hope to reap some stay from visiting teams for the World Cup.
  He truly deserves a place in our sports annals for bringing the glory (and the crowds-sic !) back to our stadia.
  SSMB- kazi kwenu...you have your cloth clearly cut !

• Golf : Kenya Open:- Truly Social ?

  Posted: April 17, 2009, 7:29 pm by SportsKenya

  
  This time of the year Kenya (tagline-Kenya's Social event) entertains the PGA European Tour golfers as well as seasoned and budding golf players for the Kenya Open Golf tournament. This year sponsored by the Tusker brand of East Africa Breweries.
  Kenya's premier social event....? Hmmmm....
  Well, from the restricted entry into the club ( yes, you have to be a member...unless the club manager gives authority for the 'public' to be let in; to the rules like putting off your phone at the clubhouse; and even silence when the players are about to putt.
  I'm one rare breed in a golf course and the only time I visited one was by default- chasing a goat (for Christmas) which had escaped our grips and made way to the nearest golf course. Guess the poor thing had sensed the last days of its life and decided to make a dash for it...
  My friends tell me the members are usually a pretentious lot, holding their noses up and often catching up on the latest gossip in the corporate world on the 'greens'. They usually escape the 'fires of hell'-in the office to breath and catch one for the next day hoping whatever issues were there will be resolved before the end of the day.
  What puzzles me especially in Kenya is the effort clubs go to trying to maintain the grounds. If the same effort was made by our politicians- who incidentally have numerous members in the 'gentleman's game', the harsh environmental concerns we are having would be in the past...but that's just a thought.
  How come we have never managed to get a single player into the PGA proper even after playing this game -a vestige of our colonial masters?
  But unlike me, if you can make way to the Muthaiga Golf Club and watch the 'green carpets' and take solace for awhile in these tough economic times !
  Be careful what you pick !

• Kenya's in Beach Volleyball

  Posted: April 16, 2009, 7:02 pm by SportsKenya

  
  For those who love the Sun and sand of the Kenyan coast, well ask no more you can enjoy this weekend at Mombasa these sights and get a feel of one of the most exciting games in the world of sports-beach volleyball.
  Sponsored by a Kenyan mobile company and co-sponsored by another fledging media and entertainment company, the tournament will pit some of Kenya's seasoned players trying to dig out of the sand pits and spiking high balls as they try to get the better of their opponents.
  This sport would make more sense to me since the country has enough reservoir of talent in volleyball circles and it is a better indulgence better than the drugs and other distractions among the youth of the Coastal region of the country.
  It is also a crowd puller with interesting sights and sounds and which entertainment company wouldn't kill to want to be associated with such a sport. Front-runners in this game include Brazil which has dominated the game and the US of A which picks up on any sport and takes it to the next level, thanks to corporate support and open-minded sports business administrators.
  Give it a thought Kenya Volleyball Federation ....

• Kenyans on Ice ? Cool Running...

  Posted: April 16, 2009, 5:36 pm by SportsKenya

  
  Philip Boit skis on snow at the Winter Games
  
  
  It's interesting when the country's almost drying up its rivers and water sources someone thinks we can hack some ice on this side of the world,a few miles south of the Sahara...and a diminishing snow-cap on Mt.Kenya -a world's only snow-capped Mount on the Equator !
  Since the launch of the first ice-rink in Kenya and Eastern Africa in 2005, many a sports enthusiasts (read ice-sports) have thought that this presents a good opportunity for Kenya to take its sports beyond the traditional outdoor events which its immensely endowed.
  No argument there yet !
  Early this year, some kids from private learning institutions guided by their tutors thought they can participate in the ice-skating events hosted in the Scandinavian countries...commendable idea but almost sentence to failure and possible ridicule.
  I was quickly reminded of one Philip Boit-the first black African Winter Olympian to compete in the Winter Olympics Games cross-country event in Nagano-Japan . Having defied the odds of training on rough rugged hills of the Rift Valley province in Kenya and the usual stereotypes of running on the same hills, he attracted much attention from the awkward look he potrayed...all in the spirit of the games.
  In March this year, he announced that he would be participating in the Winter Games to be held in Vancouver-Canada in 2010. He has participated in 4 previous Games with little or no support and as such feels he will retire next year due to lack of support and sponsorship. Commitment not in doubt by any chance !
  There's word that we are now looking towards initiating the ice-stock or curling in the country...:-)..:-). tsk !
  But if we are to make any serious progress on ice sports, we need to seriously engage countries that have these conditions and also invest quite some substantial amounts in the discipline. For fear of writing off such stunts, I will watch with interest what comes of this but your guess maybe as good as mine...
  
  

• BackStory on CNN-Sports Coverage

  Posted: April 16, 2009, 3:19 pm by SportsKenya

  
  Logo used with acknowledgement CNN.com
  
  
  Thanks to some of my insomniac habits and also obsession with sports, the other day after watching one of the most dramatic games of the UEFA Champions League, I managed to catch the CNN's BackStory.
  OK for the uninitiated, BackStory goes for story behind the story-the drama and hassles going into delivering news and shows it also delves into how correspondents deal with these challenges and human emotions they confront. Most of the stories usually go beyond the usual politics and gloom currently experienced across the world.
  My scoop though was on how the CNN WorldSport guys get their stories and deliver them. As one Terry Baddoo said ,'its more than just lifting their legs and enjoying their favourite teams play or games'. From the slotting of the stories to the editing, filling in the relevant parts as well as committing viewers to the last item, the editors have quite task, which they navigate almost seamlessly.
  You find a guy on like 3-5 phones at a time as he tries to keep tabs with the field correspondents from across the world; tv clips which at times have to be delayed or shown as images to avoid infringing on tv rights; updates from ongoing events and the occasional weird sport and Play of the Day- these guys make sports coverage an art.
  In addition to this, the studio anchor ensures he or she has the necessary witty remarks which serve as a good break from the 'serious news' which CNN is known for.
  My favourite is usually Mark McKay as well as the host of the BackStory- Michael Holmes -though he's not a sports anchor.
  If you stay up till some of those ungodly hours, you can catch it around midnight(+3 GMT-East African Time) at this part of the world.

• Sports and Media : Can we take the cue ?

  Posted: April 8, 2009, 1:20 pm by SportsKenya

  
  
  In February this year, the English Premier League executives signed a record TV rights deal while the rest of the sporting world was looking into ways of cutting down their expenses.
  I must confess besides the usual serving which keeps me like the rest of the football fans glued to the TV, these guys are miles ahead of most sports marketing executives.
  Back in the 80s, the then new Commissioner David Stern had quite a job to convince the TV channels to run the basketball games which by then were tottering down into the abyss badly in need of a clean image and an appeal to audiences in the US. An arduous task which he handled well and we started noticing the NBA Play-offs match-ups pitting legendaries such as LA Lakers vs Boston Celtics. Who can forget what has now become one of the most watched event across the world,the NBA All-Star Weekend?
  The same can be said of FIFA and IOC executives who saw the potential in this and quickly followed the cue. Since the late 1990s we have seen exponential growth in sports broadcasting, with some slots for main sponsorship partner easily running into over US $100 million.
  Africa has also developed a lucrative broadcast powerhouse in the name of MultiChoice/ Supersport which has revolutionised sports coverage in the continent. They recently won exclusive rights for the World Cup 2010 as they enjoy the goodwill of having it at their background. They enjoyed a bit of a scare when GTV launched 2 years ago but we all know what happen to the blitz they had...
  Back in Kenya, I wonder what is ailing us with broadcast houses still touching sports with a long stick. Most usually cover one event and leave off once the Games are done. Others still try to capitalise on the hype around an event e.g. the recent World Cup qualifier against Tunisia.
  A replica of what might be the first station dedicated exclusively to sport is the Radio Jambo currently run by (Radio Africa Broadcasting- they who run Kiss 100 FM and Classic 105.2 FM). Too bad most of their information dwells on European Leagues where they can get info from the Net, rather than making more relevance by building capacities locally and regionally.
  If we are to become a serious contender for sporting events in Africa, media is one area we cannot afford to ignore. One or two media-houses may come up with something for that reason. We can learn a lot from MultiChoice's SuperSport and with their recent entry into the market,it's as good a time as any !
  
  Inspired by Sportbusiness.com
  

• Johnny-come-latelys

  Posted: April 6, 2009, 10:18 pm by SportsKenya

  Kenya makes it to the Adelaide Sevens Final and we're all anxious and grabbing seats hoping to upset the form books and lift the first IRB Circuit round trophy. Same goes for the corporate firms which have for so long watched and waited for an opportune time to start blowing their horns the way the support this and that sport.
  Others still will claim to have seen the potential that sport has and that is why they are throwing in some money for the cause. The worst culprits will be those claiming that it is in their Corporate Social Responsibility (.... more like Can't Socialism Relax ?)
  Kenyan companies have for a long time made super profits which they have committed to their mother companies ( talking of the British and French companies which have been milking us dry). They turn a cold shoulder to sports and when they do commit they often throw crumbs which only serve to remunerate boards which have their stooges there and thus becomes a vicious cycle.
  Sports in Kenya has more than enough potential to grow to some phenomenal heights and this can be seen with the Rugby Sevens. Virgin Airlines saw this potential and one Richard Branson did not need nudging twice to be convinced this was a growth sport.
  Well the economic woes may have troubled air travel & all but whenever Kenya plays and we see Virgin all over the team's jerseys doesn't it make you wonder where Kenyan companies were ( or better still are!)
  With the Junior World Rugby Trophy coming to Kenya in a few days time ( starts on 21st of April), lets see your usual johnny-come-latelys make their appearance on the sponsorship board.

• Safari Rally : Low Key Start

  Posted: April 3, 2009, 12:39 am by SportsKenya

  
  Logo courtesy of Motorsport Kenya.
  
  For an event which attracted thousands of fans, the sport is slowly drifting into international rallying obscurity. The event was flagged off and the rest of the city was almost unmoved.
  What's even worse the cars will cover only about 700 kms ( approx 437 miles) and mainly feature runs in 'people's farms as a local driver put it in the Press today.The rally had also almost sunk due to the low interest by sponsors though the buzz came on thanks to KCB who are the title sponsors. The weather has also played its worst and a dusty rally with patches of rains dotting parts of the route.
  The magic of the Safari Rally just seems gone. Even some of us were not so impressed by the spectator stage which has been a highlight for the last 4 years. Organisers had better come up with a better thing ( like 2 cars racing on the track) to make it more exciting.
  They can also add a skills section just to showcase what some of the drivers can do (I remember Richard Burns doing some spins on the Argentine finishing ramp and it was worth watching)...
  We also need to fully provide for the rally and let by-gones be by-gones, WRC has forgotten about us and the faster we forget them the better. We might as well have a section for our crazy matatu drivers and weekend speed-racing wannabes from well-to-do neighbourhoods. That makes more sense to us !

• Volleyball: Gloves come off

  Posted: April 3, 2009, 12:16 am by SportsKenya

  After playing their qualifying matches and moving to the quarters, Kenyan teams , Kenya Prisons and Kenya Pipeline have been disqualified from the tournament-African Womens Club Championships.
  For what has been a low key event and an even worse PR job from the organisers, this will effectively mean no Kenyan team plays for the remainder of the tournament. The disqualification came after other teams from Tunisia and Cameroon raised concerns that the 2 teams had fielded players who had played in foreign leagues in the last 6 months thus forfeiting their positions in the current clubs.
  Now for the lure of Arab oil monies, the teams have been banned for 2 years and the players for one year...heavy penalties if you ask me...almost like death knells for them.
  Kenya Volleyball Federation(KVF) can't escape the blame since they ought to have alerted the teams of dangers of fielding these players some of who are not even at their best. They ought to have saved the country the embarrassment of having both teams banned and in effect no representation to the country. It tells you why they never secured enough sponsors or are endeared to local firms.
  Barbs and more barbs on you KVF !!!

• Basketball: Kenyan lady makes a big impact in the US

  Posted: April 3, 2009, 11:41 pm by SportsKenya

  
  
  Josephine catches a rebound in a game between Union University & Lambuth University in the NAIA tournament.
  Photo courtesy of Union University
  
  The Kenyan basketball scene has been rather nondescript at a time when other sporting disciplines have been excelling at different levels. Thus it was refreshing to read that a Kenyan lady is about to make a break into women's basketball most lucrative league WNBA.
  While local media reports have stated that the lady has been drafted to the Indiana ladies team , fondly known as Indiana Fever, I'll not confirm that to you yet. But what I can confirm is that the lady playing in her 6th year, at the National Association of Inter-collegiate Athletics (NAIA) Basketball, has made a big impact , winning her 2nd consecutive Player of the Year award.
  This is no mean achievement, given basketball not just in Kenya but most parts of Africa is still at times formative stages. In fact, there are less than 10 players from African basketball leagues and even worse is that there are very few who can make a transition without playing college games first in US- perhaps a skewed position of the game in Africa. Can NBA and WNBA or even FIBA try address such?
  Back to our local hero, I do hope she's drafted to the competitive WNBA league from her Union University team which she's currently playing as centre. It bodes well for the local teams and talent which has been fairing better than their male counterparts internationally.
  Please KBF use this goodwill to grow the game locally, what more do you need to wake up? For more info check here.

• SportFive in Kenya

  Posted: March 30, 2009, 12:01 am by SportsKenya

  
  Logo courtesy of SportFive
  
  On Saturday, some observant fans would have noticed that the Coca-Cola Stadium was heavily branded with some interesting boards almost like what we see in other fixtures in developed nations. A good thing.
  We also heard the TV rights had been acquired by KBC ( and they better get some better equipment...what is this business of images like we're in the 1980s?). Look no further , SportFive is in town !
  According to media reports, the SportFive Africa division-one Damien Delvaque -who are the official marketing company for CAF ( African Football Confederation), were the people behind the 'magic'. They have the rights for all CAF competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations, Africa Champions League and women & youth tournaments.
  I have been singing ( to the birds it seems ) but at least now it makes sense albeit to a foreign company. That's why they could afford to have their way and force the Pepsi-Cola and Nasuba adverts on us even when 3/4 of the nation doesn't even remember of any of Pepsi's products or used Nasuba for money transfer...
  Let's hope they manage to convince some local companies or continental companies with a local franchise to place their adverts next time. That way we'll cheer on our team as we enjoy their products or services...good job though, we can learn immensely and with the Junior Rugby tournament in April we should know what to do with our playing grounds...
  Notes:
  Out of curiousity, who negotiated the deal on behalf of FKL? These guys may ransom our national team without our knowledge...how did we get into a deal with Adidas for national kits which 'disappeared' even before being worn?

• Post-Analysis: Kenya vs Tunisia

  Posted: March 30, 2009, 11:18 pm by SportsKenya

  Didn't I say so ? Didn't I tell you we would not survive the Carthage Eagles? Our enthusiasm at times gets over us and we expect miracles...well none came this time !
  You can't hobble together a team in less than a month and break it right in the middle and expect it to perform. You don't start engaging in petty exchanges with the predecessor for some obvious reasons and still say you have a national team.
  Well now we know what we have and what to expect. It's the Nigerian Eagles we'll be facing come June. I'll still not expect anything miraculous with the fixture and we should start working towards saving face depending on the goals we can soak in.
  OK, there are some things Mr. Hey did manage to instill and I'd commend. The Kenyan Press has been notorious for trying to extract stories where there are none and basically have no sense of order and decorum. They were shown why it's called residential training. We also had an official announcement for the first 11 televised on the station with the rights ( which is also another plus).
  Going forward, we must win ALL our home games if we expect to even come close to qualifying for the Cup of Nations. Given we're facing the Nigerians next should be a good thing since the 2 biggest hurdles will be behind us( can we draw in Lagos? sic)
  We can invite 2 or visit a West African nation such as the Ghanaians or Cameroonians and play at least 2 friendlies in such conditions if we're to expect any form of preparations for the team.
  We can also ask the Government and FKL (which seems to have won the day) to work with the local teams to ensure the clubs release the players in good time and don't pull such moves as what Mathare United did.
  We also need to get a Press or PR person for the team. Patrick Naggi seems to be handling a bit too much and at times can rub off guys. There are enough guys who can muster some decent lines for that purpose...ask me I can give you a few names
  
  Additional Info:
  There was some serious branding of the field early in the day. Pepsi-Cola,though a low key player in the Kenyan market decided to throw a spanner in the works by putting up its side-boards...in the Coca-Cola Stadium which looks hideous in the red colours they are painting...
  Security was not at its best and were it not for some Government busy bodies, we could have had a rampage after the game. I managed to catch the fans walk 3kms back to town and some caused a ruckus along the busy Uhuru Highway.
  The seats used should be thrown in some disposal bags. Why can't we just fix semi-permanent seats? Sports Stadia Management Board's Sam Mwai are you listening ?

• Safari Rally: No more European Safarians ?

  Posted: March 26, 2009, 10:42 pm by SportsKenya

  
  This is a serious cold shoulder if ever there was one. Since reducing the Safari Rally into an African affair ( usually enjoys Africa Rallying Championship-ARC endorsement), this time emerging and regular visiting teams from European rallying teams have given it a wide berth.
  Though the Intercontinental Rally Challenge(IRC) has put the rally as one its rounds, no major teams has confirmed participation, 1 week into the rally. The IRC acts a launch pad for aspiring rally drivers for the World Rally Championship the ultimate for rally drivers. It may also be said to be a test for rallies wishing to be included in the WRC circuit which crosses over different countries, across different continents testing man and machine.
  For me the ultimate test still remains the Safari Rally and no matter what excuses the officials may use. It's a sad affair of things and some may say TIA !
  I'll make time to reminisce of the days of yonder when the likes of Bjorn Waldegaard , Massimo 'Miki' Biasion, Carlos Sainz, Richard Burns, Lars Erick Torph, Shekhar Mehta, John Ngunjiri, Peter Shiyukah and Hannu Mikkola graced our race roads.
  I'll make time for the spectator stage at Uhuru Park which has become a favourite for many a rally fan and may venture to the dusty roads of the Rift Valley later in the weekend.
  KCB keep the fire alive. We won't lose the fight for the Rally back where it belongs....

• Athletics: X-country's supposed to come home

  Posted: March 26, 2009, 10:12 pm by SportsKenya

  For the longest time we have sung about the cross-country and how we have honed Kenyan athletics champions. From John Ngugi and the late Moses Kipkemboi to marathoner Paul Tergat along with ladies such as Susan Sirma and Tecla Loroupe, the cross-country has served a good breeding ground for our athletes.
  The elusive one though has been the individual titles more so the senior men's title in the last 15 years. Kenenisa Bekele , Kenya's nemesis is not part of the team in the championships at Amman,Jordan but his younger brother Tariku Bekele moves up the rungs as he hopes to continue the Ethiopian reign whose only interruption was the Eritrean Tadesse in the low hot temperatures of Mombasa which almost killed senior Bekele.
  We'll be praying for more than the team titles and the lads have nothing to hold them as the Government and corporate world has sufficiently put in place the incentives for the winners ( kudos KCB for the appreciation! )
  I'll hold out for the races from my humble portable radio as I listen to satellite radio to keep me posted on the going ons in Amman. More fun for a busy weekend !

Blah blah blah

Fish cakes

Alas a fish cake.

Yet more fish cakes

Guess what ... yeah ... fish cakes.

The end of the fish cakes