Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and County Government of Tharaka Nithi officials were forced to break their way into Kirubia Stadium for the FKF County League Awarding Ceremony, after it emerged that the contractor in charge of the stadium construction had restricted access to the facility citing unpaid dues.
The officials had to break the main gate locks to gain access to the stadium which had most of the facilities and rooms locked up and inconveniencing sporting activities hosted by FKF and the County Government on Saturday 22 July 2023.
The awarding ceremony which was graced by FKF President Nick Mwendwa was curtain raised by a friendly match between County League Winners Awakening Lions and Runners-up Eriani Hotspurs, who were forced to change clothes in the full glare of the public and officials due to inaccessible changing rooms and in the stadium.
In February 2023, Sports CS Ababu Namwamba in an inspection tour of the KShs 384 m stadium ordered the contractor to return to site to work on repairs before it could be handed over to the government.
Tharaka Nithi Senator Mwenda Gataya while giving his remarks at the ceremony pledged that there will not be a time that the residents and other sporting stakeholders will be barred again from using the facility.
“I was shocked when I heard that this national stadium had been closed from public use. As the Senator of Tharaka Nithi, I declare that access to this stadium will never again be denied by anyone”, he said.
Gataya added that there was raw talent that needed to be scouted from the county, and it would go a long way in ensuring sportsmen earn from their talent.
Tharaka MP Gitonga Murugara condemned the closure of the stadium asking the contractor to follow due process in following up arrears.
“If the contractor has not been paid by the national government, I will help follow it up since I work for the same government but closure and denying entry to the facility is not acceptable”, he said.
Murugara championed for more funding to support sporting activities in the county.
“We don’t want to lose this generation to illicit brew and drug abuse over the absence of sporting activities in the county. Let FKF, the county government and all constituencies focus on funding sports so that our youth can benefit”, he added.
Awakening Lions were crowned County League Winners, while Eriani Hotsspurs and Kamwimbi Green Stars were awarded as First and Second Runners-Up teams respectively.
Morris Mwiathi from Awakening Lions won the Coach of the Year award while Most Valuable Player went to Zabron Mutugi from the same team.
Samwel Atemba from won the Best Goalkeeper award as the Top Scorer award went to Ambrose Muchangi, both from Awakening Lions FC.
FIFA Fair play Award went to Johnson Kimathi while the Team Manager of the year went to Esther Nyaga from Kamwimbi Green Stars FC.
League Participating teams received cash wards, football kits and other prizes from FKF and political leaders from the county.
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