SRPK call for a review of the Sports Act to accommodate professionals' body

Sports professionals in the country have come together to form a body named Sports and Recreation Professionals of Kenya (SRPK) whose purpose is to advocate for the welfare of those whose careers touch on sports. 

In a launch held on Monday 7 November in Nairobi, the leadership of the body says this is a long-overdue force in the management of sports and recreation activities in the country.  

According to Martin Yauma an Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya officer who is the chairperson of SRPK, the main objectives of creating the professional body is to maintain and improve the standards of learning and conduct of the Sports and Recreation professionals in Kenya. 

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Additionally, the body will facilitate the acquisition of relevant knowledge by members while assisting the government and the sporting fraternity in all matters affecting the administration and practice of sports and recreation in Kenya.  

The body will also register, protect and assist members of the sports profession in respect to conditions of practice among other objectives that touch on establishing a co-operation and collaboration with other Sports professional bodies recognized by the Government of Kenya.

"Since the introduction of sports related academic certification in Universities, colleges and sports federation courses in Kenya the country has witnessed exponential growth in professionals undertaking the courses. 

As we speak, there are currently over 15,000 sports professionals in Kenya, having attained various levels of qualifications on the different areas of sports related courses. 

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It is for this reason, therefore, that we have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that we deliver to the country its first professional outfit bringing together all sports stakeholders. 

We now have a home for anyone who has a sports related certification. This is a place where we shall collectively advocate for the welfare of our profession, sports," Yauma said. 

The SRPK boss says sport in Kenya have continued to suffer bad reputation because of lack of well laid regulations to govern this crucial sector. 

"Lack of synergy, selfishness and poor relations among sports stakeholders has been one barrier in our dream to develop sports in Kenya. Locally, federations are at most times not in good terms with other sports organizations and this interferes with their activities of sports development in the country. We do not speak in the same voice and this is exploited to our disadvantage. 

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Sportsmen are great ambassadors of our country and they do this effortlessly hence ensuring the Kenyan flag is raised and national anthem sang in their honor. Government's support to sports is so far appreciated, but we believe more can be done by enhancing resources that promote sports talents in Kenya. In addition, sports talent is not being professionally detected, identified, nurtured and exploited. 

It is high time that as a country, we acknowledged that good governance generally means that organizational policies and procedures are put in place to ensure that stakeholders in sports achieve their collective goals," he added. 

The body has called on all sports stakeholders to join in the request for a review of the Sports Act, 2013 to accommodate this new development, along with the other issues aimed at growing the industry. 

"Soon, we shall be tabling a comprehensive report on the gaps that we have identified with the legal framework that has been in operation for almost a decade now, to make it more vibrant and better responsive to our needs. 

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It is common knowledge that sports can be used to curb unemployment amongst the youth and reduce crime and other societal ills such as drug abuse. Moreover, sports can make a considerable contribution to the economy. 

It is imperative that the real economic and social value of sports is taken seriously by all stakeholders in Kenya to ensure that Kenyans are the eventual beneficiaries," he concluded.