Anthony Kitimo

1 September 2010

Nairobi — Even at the risk of an International Federation of Association Football (Fifa) ban, the government is determined to bring sanity in local football once and for all, the Sports minister has said.

Paul Otuoma said on Wednesday the national football team, Harambee Stars, has stagnated for many years because of management wrangles and such a ban will be a blessing in disguise as it will give Kenya time to put its house in order.

Otuoma said his ministry is in the process of streamlining football leadership to ensure unscrupulous managers in the sport are removed from office.

"It is unfortunate that whenever these crooked officials want money from the government the government is good but whenever the government wants to straighten sports management they claim it is interfering with management. We cannot continue working like that," Otuoma said.

The eagerly awaited Sports Bill will be an entry point in the good governance of local football if passed, he said, adding that it will be tabled in Parliament within 30 days.

"Wrangles in the football association are caused by corrupt leaders who run the association like a club," he told the official opening of a Sports Stadia Management Board retreat at Mombasa Beach Hotel.

The government will rehabilitate sports facilities across the country, Otuoma said, adding that his ministry is working with that of Lands to reclaim grabbed stadia plots.

Sports Permanent Secretary James Waweru said well maintained sports facilities have the potential of promoting tourism.