Senate committee to probe netball team’s tribulations in South Africa
The Senate is set to investigate reports suggesting that the Kenya national women netball team was recently stranded in South Africa while on international duty.
Senate Majority leader Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed as much on Wednesday following social media outcry.
“The Senate Committee responsible for Sports will investigate the matter, establish the truth and recommend appropriate action,” he Tweeted.
Nairobi News understands the netball team, which represented the country at the 2019 African Netball Championships, were denied access to their hotel after the Sports Ministry reportedly failed to pay for accommodation.
Two players in the team, who spoke off the record, revealed that the team struggled to access basic needs during preparations and at the tournament.
But Kenya Netball Association chairperson Immaculate Kabuthia denied the government had failed to support the team.
GOVERNMENT FUNDING
“I think someone somewhere is trying to be mischievous. The government gave us air tickets and we have had a good tournament. We will return home tomorrow (Thursday),” she explained.
The government is required by law to fund all national teams and President Uhuru Kenyatta has consistently emphasized that resources have been put together to ensure athletes are well prepared and participate in international competitions.
“Our athletes are the shining star of Kenya, so all national teams, be it in netball or rugby will be funded by my government. We have put in place a fund (Sports Fund) to take care of that and I want to tell the athletes that they will not lack uniforms or training shoes,” President Kenyatta said in March 2019.
Kenya competed in six matches at the netball championship, losing to hosts South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Uganda. Their only win was against Lesotho.