[PHOTO/Standard]
Hosting the coming CECAFA Senior Challenge tournament will work a great way in uniting Kenyans, FKF Head of Communications Barry Otieno has said.
In an article he wrote to the Nation on Tuesday, Otieno argued that the competition to be held in Kakamega, Kisumu, Nakuru, Machakos and Nairobi would for once give Kenyans the opportunity to regard themselves as one.
Otieno said that coming just after the hotly contested general election, the tournament will give the 'much needed platform to unite Kenyans regardless of their political affiliations and epitomise a national branding opportunity, key in marketing a country that spent a good chunk of the year politicking'.
"It goes without saying that if well managed, Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup has the full potential to not only re-galvanise Kenyan fans but to also shape perceptions and change mindsets of thousands of visitors who will grace the tournament, most of whom are skeptical about the country due to the current political situation, which, I must say, played a key role in Caf’s decision to withdraw Kenya’s hosting rights for 2018 African Nations Championships (Chan)" he said.
He added that football is the most followed sport in the country and therefore the tournament will "provide a rare window of opportunity to create a positive correlation between the sport and nationalism, occasioned by increased civic pride and community empowerment as stakeholders indulge in contributing and supporting not only our national football team Harambee Stars but also the successful hosting of the tournament."