The former Harambee Stars goal-getter has revealed why football is way off becoming a sport that can contribute to economic growth in Kenya.
Harambee Stars legend Dennis Oliech believes that football in Kenya is miles off being sustainable and popular, saying that “it has no impact” on helping the country's economy grow.
Oliech, who spent over ten years playing for different clubs in Qatar and France as well as the national team, believes that if football was self-sufficient, the lowest FKFPL player would be earning not less than Ksh100, 000 which would be enough to help him build his own life.
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“Football has still not become sustainable in the county. I think only the national team has attracted interest. It should attract so much popularity and become popular to the extent that the lowest player should earn Ksh100, 000,” Oliech said.
“At least, it will enable a local player to buy a car. If you look, maybe only one percent of footballers own vehicles so maybe if football will start paying players well, that is when our football will become fully sustainable.”
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Oliech believes that the only sport in Kenya that is sustainable is Athletics, as it has put the country on the world map and enabled athletes’ welfare to be good.
“Football has no impact in Kenya, maybe athletics. In football, our legends have no jobs. In athletics, when someone wins, there are hefty individual rewards, like five or ten million (a race).”
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Over the years, Oliech has decried the state of neglect sporting legends have been left in, and he still insists that the Ministry of Sports must do something to correct the sorry state of these athletes.
“I plead with the Ministry of Sports to look after ex-players and legends. Wrap them well even if it is giving them official jobs.”
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