The Budget and Appropriations Committee vice chair Mary Emaase has promised Parliament's support to the Ministry of Sports' youth development projects.
The committee's primary role is to oversee the coordination, control and monitoring of the national budget, including discussing budget estimates and making recommendations to the National Assembly.
Emaase, the Teso South MP and Member of the Sports and Culture Committee emphasised the committee's commitment to defending sports budgets in Parliament to foster talent development.
“As the vice chair of the Budget Committee, it is my responsibility to support and defend the budget of the Sports Ministry in parliament. You have my full support as you focus on talent development projects,” she said.
Emaase vowed to ensure proper funding channels for the ministry, emphasising the committee's determination to address historical underfunding.
“We are aware that this is one of the ministries that has been poorly funded in the past. We are keen on ensuring that this ministry is properly resourced,” she noted.
During the 2023/24 budget allocation, the Ministry of Sports received Sh6.4 billion from the Sh3.86 trillion budget (the largest in history).
Sports CS Ababu Namwamba highlighted the ministry's current budgetary constraints, urging support from the budget committee to meet nationwide commitments.
“We are struggling with the current budget allocation. Our funds are stretched with all the commitments around the country. We want more support from the exchequer,” he stated.
The ministry's plan to establish sports academies was announced last year.
“We have activated the constituency sports-based academies to keep the talent pipeline flowing. We are ready to start the first wave soon as agreed with the sports committee,” noted Namwamba.
The ministry has 43 camps already, focusing on athletics and being run by Athletics Kenya.
The national U19 and U20 football teams are also set for competitions in Spain and Malawi under the Talanta Hela initiative.
“We assure you that resources brought our way will be used diligently,” stated Namwamba.
The duo spoke during the official induction of the world marathon record holder, the late Kelvin Kiptum, into the Talanta Hall of Fame.
“We consider this the beginning of a heritage of how we should immortalise athletes,” said Namwamba.
“This space is open to the public, we allow people to come and interact with the legends.”
“This is historic," said AK chairman of the youth development department Barnaba Korir. "It will help us appreciate sportspersons who fly our flag.”
