Registered County Sports Associations will now be funded by county governments if a bill enacting the County Sports Fund is approved by the Senate.The bill introducing the County Sports Association Fund underwent its first reading on Tuesday afternoon in the Senate.It has been introduced by Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna and will provide a legal framework for county governments to fund sports within their jurisdictions.Full list of 49 Kenyan coaches with CAF A license revealedIf passed, county governments will spend billions of shillings on nurturing talent and building sports infrastructure.According to the bill, county governments will contribute one per cent of all funds they receive from the national government to the fund.Other sources of the fund include assets or monies that may accrue or may be received by the fund as well as loans, grants and donations by international agencies.##NAJAVA_MECA_8256621##The objective of the fund includes acquiring sports equipment, identification of talent, training and capacity building for sports people, funding and development of sports infrastructure like stadia, gymnasiums, buildings and tracks.“The administrator of the fund will be the County Accounting Officer responsible for matters related to sports or any other person designated by the County Executive Committee member in charge of sports,” says the bill.The fund administrator will among other things be required to open a separate bank account into which funds will be banked.Engin Firat on how Harambee Stars will benefit from Anthony Akumu’s move to IranTo be eligible for this funding, county associations must be registered with the Registrar of Sports under the Sports Act.The associations must also present a strategic plan detailing their short, medium and long-term plans.In the case of developing infrastructure, they must present approved plans as well as a bill of quantities.##NAJAVA_MECA_8256634##The fund will revolutionize the funding of sports at the grassroots level as it will give county associations revenue to run their activities and perhaps some semblance of autonomy.It is likely to become law before the end of the year.
