A section of Kenyans have opposed the move by the Sports Ministry to allow free entry to for fans wishing to attend the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match pitting Harambee Stars against Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. An announcement that was given earlier today by Sports CS Rashid Echesa.
As indicated in the nation, The two East African giants clash for the second time in fours day on Sunday following their 0-0 draw in Bahir Dar on Wednesday which saw Harambee Stars leapfrog Ghana to the summit of the Group F standings on four points.
A win for Sebastien Migne’s Stars will take the country to the brink of qualification to the 2019 Nations Cup after a 14-year hiatus.
“Harambee Stars has continued to perform well in the Afcon matches where Kenya has beaten Ghana and drawn with Ethiopia, in this respect, the government has stepped up support for the team to ensure that Kenya qualifies for Afcon 2019 championships to be held in Cameroon,” Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa said in a statement on Thursday.
“I wish to announce that entrance to the stadium at Kasarani will be free of charge to allow Kenyans cheer their team to victory. Consequently it’s important that as patriotic Kenyans it is our duty to support the team unreservedly.”
Some Kenyans have been angered by this move saying that it is not enough to make the entry free yet there are many issues that have not been addressed including the claims of poor payment for the football players and coaches. Kenyans have demanded that the issues should be fixed and also security to be provided on that day.
? what if they are given support but fail to perform?
The morale of the places is not boosted by many fans in a stadium, it is brought upon by good pay and provision of the sporting resources.— Jamur25 (@ogotjohn) October 11, 2018
Free entry na hawajalipa coach? Saitan!
— Ipara Popat (@popat4u) October 11, 2018
This govt baffles me,players are paid meagre allowances… The coach has gone 6months without pay and now they rush to say entrance is free @CarolRadull @CSRashidEchesa
— Godfrey Augo (@augogodfrey) October 11, 2018
Yet coaches and players have not been paid? Freebies culture propagation?
— Nimrod G. Nkonge (@NimrodGuantai) October 11, 2018
This is Harambee Stars playing ,our National Team and you are allowing people not to pay. Am disappointed. Football is somebody’s profession and we have to support them by gate collections.
— Dacon Owino Omondi (@omondidacon) October 11, 2018
I thought this could have been the best opportunity to raise funds for the cash strapped Harambee Stars. I now every reason to believe that we have a Sports CS whose mental development is comparable in all aspects to that of an anthropoid ape.
— kipkoech mitei Rober (@MiteiRober) October 11, 2018
The CS is indeed a high school drop out,pathetic !! FKF is broke ,the harambee stars coach hs not been paid his salaries, FKF owes Supersport some money to the tune of millions of shillings. Football is a professional event not a charity event, footballers NEED to be paid.
— Abdihamid (@AbdihamidMoulid) October 11, 2018
Free entry is not the solution to the players problem.let’s try fix the salaries and allowances before boosting on government letters.Why can’t the coach be on government payslip.We don’t need freebie we work for us to pay taxes and we expect the best for our brothers @kenya_fkf
— Khwa Nanyuli (@khwananyuli001) October 11, 2018