Athletics Kenya Nairobi branch chairman Barnabas Korir has backed the current Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba saying he means well for the growth and development of the game in the country a few months after taking over the ministry after the August 2022 General Elections.

Korir who also doubles up as Kip Keino classic race director said that Kenya Kwanza government led by President William Ruto has showed passionate love for the game through 'Bottom-Up'  sports approach across all the 47 counties.

"CS Ababu has lived up to his word of meeting all the sports stakeholders locally to deliberate what's good for the game.He already had meetings with players,federation chiefs,sponsors,broadcasters among others and this depicts of someone who is there to help move sports to another level and as people who form an integral part of the sports in Kenya we'll sufficiently back his efforts" remarked Korir.

During last year's Jamhuri day celebrations  at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi,the head of state announced his administration will launch a nationwide Bottom-up Under-19 football tournament starting  at ward level in all 47 counties as part of Kenya Kwanza administration's Football Vision 2030.

“As part of this plan, I have accepted to champion a grassroots football development program that will see the national government work with county governments to invest heavily in youth football,” he said

“This is the first step in our Football Vision 2030 where we target to see Harambee Stars play at the 2030 World Cup and Kenya host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Together, let us build Kenyan football Bottom-up, from the grassroots of our villages to the grand stage of the World Cup.” added the President

In November last year,the CS read riot act to all sports federations telling them to follow strict guidelines from the Ministry of Sports before they receive funding for their activities.

Namwamba who formerly served in the same capacity before during the coalition government  warned the associations that it will not be business as usual for them in his new term in office.

“Government is so serious about this order of working. Be accountable and transparent in your organisations. National team selections should also be free and fair so as to reflect the true potential of Kenya. I have made it very clear that I want to work with every federation wether new or old.We want to walk the journey with everybody,new beginning and fresh start for all.” noted the former Budalangi Member of Parliament

Korir who is also Athletics Kenya (AK) Youth and Development director has been hailed as the engine behind various milestones witnessed at the AK in terms of organisational structure and goof performance of Kenyan athletes at both continental and international scene.