Nandy Senator Samson Cherargei has disclosed that the Sports Fund failed to work because the national government diverted the money to the fuel subsidy program.
The vibrant legislator spoke on Tuesday, November 29, during the launch of the National Community Heroes Volleyball Tournament that is set to run from Saturday, December 10, to Sunday, December 11 in Mosoriot, Nandi County.
According to Cherargei, had the money been used for the intended purpose, the current financial challenges facing Kenyan teams would not have been witnessed.
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“Sports Fund should fund and ensure they create talent academies and give capacity to the training of our football, volleyball, and other athletes.
“It was sad that in the last three financial years, the money that was meant for the Sports Fund was being diverted to the petroleum development levy fund to be used for the fuel subsidy and that is why we are having similar problems.
“I am pushing for an amendment with my colleagues in parliament to ring-fence the Sports Fund such that it can only be used for sports,” he stated.
Cherargei was accompanied by Malkia Strikers tactician Paul Bitok and Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) vice chairman David Kilundo.
The government established the Sports Fund through the enactment of the Sports Act in 2013.
According to the Ministry of Sports, the primary purpose of the fund was to facilitate the development of the sports sector in the country.
"The main goal for establishing the Fund is to raise funds to facilitate the growth and development of the sports industry in the country.
"In addition, the funds will be used to train the necessary sports personnel and support the cash award scheme for the purpose of enhancing competitiveness among the country’s sportsmen and women," read part of the statement from the ministry.
Moreover, it was intended to create job opportunities for millions of jobless youths in Kenya.
“The National Sports Fund was identified as a flagship project in the Vision2030 and given prominence in the 1st and 2nd Medium Term Plans.
“This is a clear testimony of the Government’s commitment to elevating the sports industry which has a huge potential of creating income opportunities for our youth through sports professionalism,” the statement added.