Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Thursday promised to help empower retired Kenyan footballers.
A group of legends led by former Football Kenya Federation president Sam Nyamweya met Odinga at his Capital Hill office in Nairobi where the former premier said he will meet with President Uhuru Kenyatta to discuss ways and means of helping the retired footballers get better livelihoods.
Led by legendary Joe Kadenge, the ex-internationals said they have been ignored despite playing a pivotal role in putting Kenyan football on the world map.
“The current crop of Kenyan footballers are enjoying the fruits of our labour,” said Kadenge.
“You are my long time friend from the 50s when I was playing and I have confidence through you, we, the legends will get recognition.”
The legends stated their support for the new found working relationship between the opposition chief and President Kenyatta and said the same should be extended to football.
Among the legends who were present included former Harambee Stars coach Marshal Mulwa, John Bobby Ogolla, Mahmmoud Abass, Victor Onyango, John “Shoto” Lukoye, Josiah Ougo, George Waweru, James Ojiambo and Swaleh Oswayo.
The legends recently formed an association to look into their issues. The Sports Stars Foundation’s aims to empower sportsmen after their active years in sports.
The foundation, which is open to all sportsmen across all disciplines, is mooting a grand plan of forming a Savings and Credit Association (Sacco) in future to financially help the sportsmen towards self-actualisation.
European Football Association advisor Mike Hopkins, who is a world renown CSR advocate, is already fund raising for the foundation while Mathare Youth Sports Association founder Bob Munro will sit in the board as one of the advisors with Nyamweya as the patron.
