President Uhuru blasts FKF for recklessness
President Uhuru Kenyatta Saturday blasted Football Kenya Federation following the disqualification of the national Under-20 team from the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers for fielding overage players against Sudan.
Speaking after signing the Anti-Doping Bill into law at State House, Uhuru slammed FKF for acting in a reckless manner and explained that cheating would not be entertained at any level.
“I know that many do, and I know that the few cases of cheating we have encountered in the past are not a reflection on the integrity of all our athletes. Yet the world will indict us as a country based on the individual breaches of each athlete and each national team.” President Kenyatta said.
“Over the years, we have built a remarkable reputation as sportsmen and women of the highest stature. That reputation has been earned diligently through the exertion and effort, sweat and sacrifices of many many hardworking men and women. But the reality of life is that reputations rise in years and fall in moments.” He added.
“This kind of issue is simply unacceptable for a federation of its caliber, and let us not sugar-coat it, it is cheating. It is breaking the rules. And if the federation does not know the rules, then that is carelessness. It is deeply regrettable that the actions of the federation led to the disqualification of our team from the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.” He said.
“At the end of the day, the people who suffer in these scenarios are the sports men and women who lose opportunities, the fans who support them, and the children who look up to them as role models. So I urge the federation to recoup their image, and remain vigilant in ensuring that they toe legal lines”. The president concluded.
“It is deeply regrettable that the actions of the federation led to the disqualification of our team from the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, but let it be clear that those who show contempt for the law will be punished.” The president stated.
Kenya was disqualified from the Under-20 qualifiers for fielding five players who are older than the requisite cut off competition age.
FKF president Nick Mwendwa said they had learnt vital tips from the whole scandal.
“We have spoken with the President and explained to him the whole matter. There are mistakes from CAF’s side and our side. We shall correct all this ahead of the Under-17 Africa qualifiers which begin in August,” Mwendwa said.
