I have all it takes...

Former Harambee Stars player Sammy “Kempes” Owino believes he has all it takes to revive Kenyan football if elected to serve as the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president in elections scheduled for next year. Speaking yesterday during the launch of his manifesto at a Nairobi hotel, the former Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars midfielder explained why he thinks he is the right man to take the East African nation forward. “I think I have the experience and all the prerequisites needed to lead FKF, and it is the main reason I have thrown my hat to contest for the top seat,” said Owino, adding: “If you compare me to those who have been there in the past or are vying for the top position, no one has as much knowledge and experience as I do.” Owino insisted his main focus would be to restore trust in the sport, establish best management practices, and improve infrastructure for youth and coaches in the country. “If you look at Kenya, we lack the infrastructure which I am addressing right now. I have done that before (in the USA). We do not have youth infrastructure, which I have developed for years. We do not have coaching education infrastructure, which I have worked on for years and I am well placed to grow football back home.” Currently, Owino has a 32-acre academy in Texas with seven fields and 700 players, and he has already begun constructing a similar academy in Kenya. “I will ensure that my office is free of corruption because these are some of the problems affecting the sport,” he said. “What we lack currently is infrastructure for the youth to use and take their game to the next level. I will ensure we provide proper training grounds.I have successfully done it in the USA, so what will stop me from applying the same successfully in Kenya?” The launch was also attended by former FKF NEC member from Western Andrew Amukowa, ex-international players John Bobby Ogolla, Sammy Sholei, former Harambee Stars coach Jacob “Ghost” Mulee, former Western Stima official Laban Jobita, and Tusker coach Robert Matano, among others.