Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts, Ababu Namwamba visited Harambee Stars early this morning and vowed that the government will support the team in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers to aid their quest for a maiden qualification in the biggest global tournament.
Speaking during the brief meeting, Namwamba reminisced his stint as the sports minister in 2013 saying that it was the last time he interacted with the national team.
‘The last time I interacted with the national team was a long time ago when I was minister for sports around 2012 and 2013. At that time I was the number one cheerleader of the national team,” said Namwamba.
The minister then went ahead to emphasize the government’s keen interest in sports stating that the national team was the first priority in terms of football in the country.
‘The first love for government in terms of football is the national team. And we (the government) want to make sure that we offer the support necessary for you (Harambee Stars) to perform well in national assignments.’
In addition, the Cabinet Secretary for sports said that the government was in liaison with the Football Kenya Federation concerning the preparations for the 2026 World Cup and that his visit was a head start on the preparations for the same.
“This morning I wanted to kick off your preparations for the World Cup qualifiers. The Federation has given us a program of the preparations and we want you to be as ready as possible when the qualifiers start.”
Namwamba was cognizant of the challenges the national team faced in the past and promised to address them going forward.
“We want to support the playing unit. Challenges we have had including camping, player allowances, traveling and accommodation, we want those to be things of the past,” promised the Sports Minister.
The minister concluded his brief speech by wishing the team well in the four-nation tournament that will be played in Mauritius citing that he will be cheering them from Nairobi.
‘I wish you all the best, I know you are preparing to leave for Mauritius as part of your preparations. I will be cheering you from Nairobi, please win your games,’ he concluded.
The team will leave for Mauritius on June 10, 2023.
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