Troubles of Kenya’s Amputee team to this year’s World Cup extended back home as they slept on the floor at the ministry of sports offices at Kencom House – Nairobi trying in vain to get their allowances paid on Thursday.
The team of 15 players and four officials arrived in the country after a torturous journey from Guadalajara, Mexico and wanted to their allowances totaling Ksh 2 million but neither the sports CS Rashid Achesa nor the permanent secretary Kirimi Kaberia was around to receive them.
The visibly exhausted players, whose trip was punctuated by a 21-hour delay owing to a mix up in the booking of flights by the government decided to sleep on the floor as they awaited their fate.
“The players’ agenda was to present the ministry of sports with the trophy and the report from their achievement in the just concluded world cup tournament.
“The players are also pleading with the ministry of sports to pay their allowances so that they can travel back to their families whom they have been away from for the past two months.
“Upon speaking to a few ministry officials today we were told nothing can be done today because the sports PS and CS are not in office and matters will be looked into once they are back.
“The players have since resolved to spend the night at MOSCA until their plight is looked into,” the team’s captain Dalmas Otieno said.
Kenya finished 12th overall out of 24 teams which participated in the global event won by Angola.
Read: World Cup Oldest Player Essam El Hadary Hangs His International Boots
They lost to Turkey and Russia before beating USA and Japan.
The team caught the attention of Kenyans when they beat the USA in the group stage while wearing a donated kit written “Team Sonko” in the front part.
It brought to fore their troubles ahead of the tournament which saw them rely on well-wishers to help them represent the country.
“Most players were hosted in Nairobi by their fellow players and team doctor and entirely depended upon their hosts for basics like transport, food and accommodation,” Dalmas disclosed.
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