The national women’s rugby sevens team, Kenya Lionesses qualified for the much-coveted 2020 Tokyo Olympics after their final match against South Africa, but the girls have nothing to smile about.
Speaking on their arrival back to Kenya, the team’s captain Phila Olando revealed how the government has completely neglected them leaving them to beg for basic needs.
She said they go without food, they’re kicked out of the houses for lack of rent, their kids are suffering in spite of qualifying to represent the country in such a high level of competition.
“The players have kids. They have needs, and you’re leaving your place. Landlord locks the house for lack of rent. Kids go without food yet you’re competing for your beloved country without any pay. Everyone here is celebrating us not knowing we have absolutely nothing in the pockets,” Olando said.
On Sunday, Cabinet Secretary for Sports Amb. Amina Mohamed only took to social media to congratulate the ladies. But she got her share of wrath from angry Kenyans.
We celebrate @kenyalioness qualification to the semi finals following a 36-5 win against Zimbabwe. Wishing the ladies the very best as they face Tunisia in the semifinals this afternoon #TwendeKazi pic.twitter.com/1ULwgnKRP1
— AMB.(Dr.) Amina C. Mohamed (@AMB_A_Mohammed) October 13, 2019
Congratulatory messages can neither pay rent nor school fees. You are such scavengers!
— Francis Ngira (@francisngira) October 13, 2019
Wewe tushakusanuka! You rush to congratulate them on Twitter but when they need government support for logistics you are nowhere to be seen! Continue paying bloggers and Dj Nyonginyo to clean your image online but deep within is your soul at peace?
— Jeff Kinyanjui (@Nyash88) October 14, 2019
Our queens have gone through so much to be where they are now, where were you when they needed help?!! You are what’s wrong with sports in this country. pic.twitter.com/kxZA0DZQUQ
— AMO (@arshfordMo) October 13, 2019
You only come kwa Tl kutupea kosokoso mob but kwa ground you doing Nothing……priorities zenu ziko upside down
— Mbugua Wa Wambui (@bennytothedj) October 14, 2019
You spend most of your time on twitter instead of working. Do you even know how these gallant ladies got there or any other sports teams for that matter. Always eager to share in their glory after winning but when they ask for funds to go represent the country you disappear
— Danny Njugunah Gooner 🇰🇪 (@danny_njugush) October 13, 2019
Kenya beat Tunisia 19-0 in the semifinal on Sunday and lost 15-14 to South Africa in the final. South Africa will not feature in Tokyo 7s despite winning, this is due to South Africa Olympic committee not allowing them to qualify for the summer games set for 2020 thus handing Kenya the direct ticket.
The South Africa Olympic Committee introduced a rule preventing its teams from qualifying for the Olympics from an African regional competition.
Africa Rugby governing body (Rugby Africa) confirmed in a tweet that Felix Oloo’s charges still qualified to the 2020 Olympic Games.
“South African Sports Confederation & Olympic Committee’s internal rules do not permit Springbok Women to qualify for the Olympic Games directly from the African Qualifier tournament,” the tweet read.