You’re to blame for Chan mess, Ababu tells Wario
By DAVID KWALIMWAFormer Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba has blamed the Cabinet Secretary for Sports Dr Hassan Wario for Kenya’s failed bid to host the 2018 Africa Nations Championship (Chan).
Kenya is still reeling from the disappointment and embarrassment of missing out on the opportunity to host this biennial football extravaganza, after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) stripped the country off the hosting rights.
“The consistent reports from our inspectors suggest the country is nowhere near ready for this assignment. We were left with little choice,” Liberia FA president Musa Bility explained.
In his response, Namwamba, who was involved in this bid during his tenure at the sports ministry, termed the development as “tragic”.
“This is a shattering blow for Kenyan sports. It is very bad for Kenya, image wise and economically,” said Namwamba.
SHOULDER BLAME
“The loss of the opportunity to host Chan best illustrates just how far backwards Kenyan sports has regressed. A sad reality and senior sports officials at the Ministry should shoulder the blame,” he said.
Cecafa secretary general Nicholas Musonye has meanwhile urged Kenyans to pick any positives from the country’s failed attempt to host some of the continent’s big footballing nations such as Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Angola and Zambia for the second time in two decades.
“It’s not the end of life. We shouldn’t mourn over this,” Musonye, who has served in various Caf committees over the past decade, explained.
“The contractors at the stadiums should continue with their work because we could have a chance to convince Caf of our capability in three years time.”
The withdrawal of the hosting rights also mean the national football team which had automatically qualified to compete in this tournament as hosts, now faces disqualification with the new host taking up its place.