Omulo Okoth
17 February 2008
analysis
Nairobi — The political violence that erupted after the disputed presidential elections has affected all aspects of Kenyans' lives.
But unbeknown to many Kenyans who just like to live their own lives away from the political arena, the violence that gripped our nation has threatened to cripple sport in general and preparations for major competitions this season in particular.
As our team has reported in our special reports today, our sporting lives are being redefined all of a sudden.
We have woken up to the reality that our Football Premier League may take a completely different format.
Teams that are resident in one part of the country may not be welcome in parts pf the country perceived to be hostile to their formers' political leanings.
For instance, as our writers report, Thika United, a team with its base in Central Province, may want to reschedule their matches at a neutral ground like Nairobi when playing team from Nyanza Province like Sony Sugar FC.
Yet sport is one of the social activities that not only drive our national diversity, but proffer employment for our youth in any part of the country.
This weekend, Athletics Kenya South Rift Valley branch, which extends from the highlands of Laikipia down to Nakuru and Kericho, had to organise two trials to select their team for National Cross Country Championships.
This is because athletes from around Nyahururu won't be welcome in certain parts of the vast Rift Valley Province and vice versa. The national body, AK, had cancelled two legs of the cross-country circuit. Namibia could not play continental cricket match against Kenya in Nairobi. They were moved to United Arab Emirates.
How will schools games take place under such uncertain, nay hostile, atmosphere? Will teachers and parents allow their children to take part in a sporting event in so-called hostile areas?
Looked at deeply, this political imbroglio our nation has found it self in has completely shattered our sporting dreams and aspirations.
Cameroon's Indomitable Lions were the very first victims of the violence, having cancelled their training programme in Kenya in the first week of January. I am informed Fifa is watching the situation keenly for the future CAF Champions League matches involving Tusker.
The International Olympic Committee is also anxious for a solution of the impasse, or else relocate athletes under its Olympic Solidarity Programme to Mauritius. Safari Rally and Kenya (Golf) Open are an integral part of our sports tourism. Do we sit pretty that they be unscathed under the current air of uncertainty? All these portend major economic loss to our nation and lost opportunity to our youth to learn from their more experienced counterparts.
Luckily, African Kayaking-Canoeing did take place peacefully in Masinga Dam.
Kenyan sports fans have woken up to one huge reality, that their lives have been consumed by politics. The ominous signs are that sport may ground to a complete halt. We must prepare to face a worse scenario, losing an entire generation of sportspeople. And with it, our only genuine source of national pride - sporting excellence.
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