International Championship in Limbo Due to Lack of Government Funding
By Tobby Otum
The 10th edition of the Mombasa Open Tong -IL Moo-Do international martial arts championships failed to kick off over the weekend in Mombasa.
The organizers of the international event have been forced to push the kick off to Monday at the Agan Khan Academy hall due to lack of government funds.
The low key opening ceremony saw Tong-IL-Moo-Do Federation of Kenya President Clarence Mwakio put on a brave face saying he is optimistic all will be well.
Addressing journalists he said they have been forced to use the weekend for demonstrations prior to the D-day of the championship due to great challenges they have encountered in securing government funds.
“I am optimistic the government’s sports ministry will address the funds issue before things get out of hand,” he pointed out.
The Federation President reiterated before the curtains close they will be able to secure sponsorship from the relevant ministry of the government.
Mwakio told a well attended daily media briefing that he has followed the laid down procedure of making their request for funds from the government last year.
He added they had expected to have been fully funded by the government by the time of the kick off of the tourney at the port city.
“We had expected the funds to have been wired to the federation’s account,” he said and refuted claims that the championship is inaugural.
The Federation President pointed out the most challenging bit of the championship is that the international delegates are already in the country but a large number of international officials and judges are stranded in their respective countries.
Mwakio acknowledged this is as a result of the federation being responsible for catering for their traveling arrangements as part and parcel of the championship in the continent.
He told journalists more participants from other countries are on their way to the country to take part in the championship whose fate hangs in the balance.
“Currently 12 countries with 130 participants are already in the coastal city in readiness for the championship,” he disclosed.
The Federation President told journalists they had requested for Sh 214 million sponsorship from the government to host the annual championship this year.
Mwakio disclosed Sh 150 million was meant for hosting the championship and Sh 20 million is the budget for cash awards during the prize giving ceremony.
He said the amount was slashed to Sh 107 million and by Friday the budget was reduced to Sh 98 million which the government has not disbursed after undergoing rotational programs.
“Despite the shortfall we will appreciate if the funds will be disbursed as soon as possible as the delay has also affected purchase of air ticket during this holiday season,” he pointed out.
Efforts to get comment from Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba were futile as he is said to be away in Qatar leading the country’s delegation for the final world cup match between France and Argentina.
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