Athletics Kenya has threatened to call off the 2010 Senior Africa Athletics Championship if the government fails to release Sh250 million it pledged by December.AK chairman Isaiah Kiplagat opened the lead over the undercurrent dealings that have been happening between his federation and the government, which has left them behind schedule for the games that were first to be held at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, in April but pushed back to July.
“If by December we have got no green light or we realise we are not making any headway, then the event will be called off,” said Kiplagat. Almost two years since Kenya won the bid to stage the championship, the government only assented to it a fortnight ago through an official gazette notice by Sports Minister Hellen Sambili.
However, the Treasury has declined to release the funds, starting with the initial Sh30 million meant for hiring staff and for operations at the secretariat. Not even the event website is working.
“We need a secretariat, its staff, prepare a sponsorship package for the corporate world, source equipments and refurbish the stadium at Kasarani,” said Kiplagat.
With the first batch of inspectors from Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) expected in the country next month, Kiplagat said the Local Organising Committee (LOC) was running behind schedule and much work need to be done to show seriousness.
“We have to host a successful championship. But our hands are tied, the initial money (Sh30 million) from the government has not been released, we need to order for equipment which might take seven months. Realistically, for us to organise this championship in April was not logistically viable. That is why we pushed it to July,” he said.
Besides the secretariat and event website getting launched, Kiplagat noted that they need to refurbish the stadium at Kasarani, change the VIP stand and renovate the changing room, medical room and mixed zone area. A warm-up track at the stadium also needs to be worked on.
“Some of the equipments have arrived. But we need more, which are not just picked off the shelf. They must be ordered for and be made specifically for the championship. Things like a large screen, timing equipment,” said Kiplagat.
Sports secretary Wilson Lang’at was at pains to explain the government’s delay.
He said: “No money has been released. It is not because money for 2007 World Cross Country Championship in Mombasa was misappropriated. AK did not have anything to do with that money then. Not even now, this money will go directly to LOC account, not AK.
“But we are working round the clock to see that the secretariat gets operational by Monday. We have seconded workers from the ministry to help set it [secretariat] up. But the delay in funding is caused by Treasury, who have not disbursed money to ministries.”
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