Sports PS Kirimi Kaberia and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwenda and Harambee Stars coach Paul Put in Nairobi recently. [Photo|Citizen TV]
The government has confirmed plans to establish a sports lottery to support sports in the country.
Sports Principal Secretary Kirimi Kaberia said they had sought more funds from the Treasury to implement the lottery.
"We have taken some action regarding the establishment of a sports lottery and have asked Treasury for money, and this (lottery) should be implemented as soon as possible," he said.
His remarks come after major betting firms in the country led by SportPesa threatened to cancel their sponsorships following new tax laws which require all betting companies to remit 35 percent of their earnings to the government.
In the Finance Bill 2017, part of the money realized from the 35 percent tax on betting companies, will go directly to the sports fund for supporting sports activities in the country.
The sports lottery, National Sports Fund, was created under the Sports Act 2013 but is yet to see the light of day.
Addressing journalists in Nairobi on Friday, Kaberia admitted the lottery may take longer than expected to be functional, urging betting firms not to terminate their financial sponsorship agreements with clubs and federations.
"However, it will take time to make an impact and that is why we still need all stakeholders to continue supporting sports in the country," the PS added.
According to Irene Tindi, a programme officer at the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD) said time to actualise the lottery is now.
"We need a sports lottery as a revenue stream. The Ministry of Sports should make its implementation a majority priority next year. The lottery can raise enough money to run sports," Tindi said, as quoted by Saturday Standard.
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