Sports Bill – Kenyan Cabinet makes landmark approval

For many a sports administrator and entrepreneur, the Kenyan sporting scene has for the longest time operated quite rudderless. In 2002 though a Sports Bill was drafted by some of the key stakeholders in sport with some involvement too from the legislators who felt it was about time sports management was more organised in the country.

Successive ministries in the then new Government came and went without having put the Bill forward for approval by the Cabinet and thus it almost became another piece for the Archives. However one of the pledges the current Minister made was to table the Bill for discussion by the Cabinet.

Now it may have been slightly overtaken by events and some of the aspects also may not have much bearing in sport for the country. By and large though most of the proposals made in the Bill will forever change sport for good.

These include;

• -       Setting up a Trust Fund for development of sport through a national sports lottery;
• -       Establishment of a Kenya Sports Institute;
• -       Regulation of sports organisations ( federations, associations and unions alike);
• -   Formation of a Sports Development Authority 

Hoping our heavily politicised legislators put the interest of the country, we hope the Bill shall get the necessary support (and maybe some meaningful amendments) and eventually pass into Law. They shall bestow to Kenyan sport a landmark law that will ensure our success locally and even internationally in the very near future.  

Kenya Budgetary Estimates 2011-12 - What is in it for Sports?

Coming at a time when the Kenyan Government is easily finding it hard to raise revenues as well as make capital expenditure, we in the sports industry have put our lot in there too. From the Budget Statement - Fiscal Year 2011-12, as presented by Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, a similar token given to the development of sport in the country in 2008-9 by then Minister Amos Kimunya makes a comeback.

Quoting the statement,
"...apart from engaging in these activities, I would also like to encourage them to nurture their talents in the realm of sports. Time and time again, our young people have made this country proud by their exemplary performance in the international tournaments in various disciplines. (... all good so far)
I believe that a clear investment in sports backed by proper management, can turn this activity, which attracts thousands of our young people into a sustainable employer. Our youth should be able to follow their dreams and establish careers in sports ( ....well put Mr. Minister Sir)
To this end, I have allocated KShs. 210 million ( 1 million per constituency) towards competitive sports for youth countrywide. This will be used for purchase of trophies, monetary award to competing teams and compensation for officials overseeing this initiative. ( ...now you sound ambiguous Sir, which sports discipline & that amount's too measly unless you hold 1 tournament per year)
The private companies under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) budgets to match this amount, at least on a shilling-for-shilling basis." (...nice one throwing the challenge to private corporate firms making obscene profits but committing measly amounts to sport BUT that word CSR word just craps me out! )

Not belabouring the points above, we believe there is more that the Ministry could have done to give incentive to the sports industry. Just like we have said before (and he's also quoted), sports can be an employer of many if the right investments and management are put into place.

• Our infrastructure has suffered considerably and one way they can aid this is by offering tax incentives to private investors willing to build stadia, sports arenas and community centres. In fact some of the KShs.210 m should go to building of community centres, since a one-off amount is more like a quick-fix but no long term work envisioned beyond that.
• Tax waivers should be accorded to suppliers of sports equipment too to entice clubs and communities to invest in these longer term projects.
• Still on a longer term basis, and especially with the new dispensation having counties some options for private investment through infrastructure bonds should be pursued.
• Allow and encourage counties and local governments to introduce various preferential measures to support the sports industry. Most of the local governments have lost control of parcels of land meant for stadia and other sports centres making it difficult to move forward.
• Tax holiday to the winning individuals and teams across the world?
  Here's a sample of what some top officials in Nigeria are doing to entice the private companies to invest in sports.
  

As for now, nice effort Mr. Minister, but this is to us at SportsKenya is just a drop in the ocean! What say you good people of Kenya?