WHO'S WORLD OF FANTASY WILL YOU DIVE INTO NEXT?

In my cycling career so far, I have managed to converse with two Kenya Cycling Federation (KCF) officials. Not in person, I confess, but through the phone as they seem to make it a mission of theirs to not attend cycling events happening in Kenya. I am unsure as to whether I should name them here, or spare them this one time. What say you?

I first spoke to an official just after the race in Nakuru where they were allegedly selecting those who would participate in the All Africa Games. It wasn’t easy getting his contact. I was surprised to find that not only do they not have a website, but also their facebook page is painfully very much not upto date.

I would like to say that the conversation was fruitful, that we discussed lots of beneficial things and that I was convinced that the top 15 would surely take part in the Games. I hate to break it to you that it was the complete opposite, and not only that, but it almost turned into an argument. That individual does have a way of turning a conversation that turns one into the culprit. I do hope, nevertheless, that I will get to get through to him successfully soon. That is, once he gets reachable on his phone.

Today is when I made contact with the second official, and I’m happy to say that this one did go much much better. Perhaps it was because she is a lady, or has a better way of dealing with persons, but the point stands that she was more forthcoming.

There were a few things I intended to find out, and I gorra say that I found out even more.

First, in order to obtain a UCI license, you must be recognised by your national federation, and for that, you must be in a registered cycling club. When asked, she said that throughout Kenya, there are twenty-eight such clubs. Following the argument, one would reasonably conclude then that each of the club members has a valid UCI license, no? Furthermore, that there are (at the very least) twenty-eight qualified cycling coaches. Question is, is that the case?

Second, there is a procedure to be followed to register a cycling club. That is true enough, I grant that, but what procedure is this? And without a website and an updated facebook page, how is one to access the procedure? When asked, she asked me to google, and I’m sorry to say that I did not get the expected results. Well, either that, or perhaps I do not know how to search? Or perhaps my phone fails to load all the possible results? And even if it is the latter, why should one have to search long and hard for the procedure?

Third, she confirmed that there are coaches all over the country. Well, that is true seeing as I have met a few of them myself, but where are they? Are they active? Are they coaches by title only? Recently, the Kenya Basketball Federation organised a coaching and officiating clinic under Mr. Amoko at Kenyatta University, at the end of which certificates were given out. Not long after, two others were scheduled, but due to the lockdown, they are yet to take place. Similarly, the Football Federation of Kenya organised an officiating clinic at Kenyatta University, but again, the corona epidemic affected it. Where is the KCF? Do they hold clinics as well? Are there qualified coaches who can hold these clinics? Surely, we need coaches and soigneurs and other officials as much as we need the cycling athletes, no?

Fourth, when questioned about the lacking website, I was told to use the UCI website as (apparently) whatever the UCI is doing/planning, so too the KCF is duplicating. I find that a hard pill to swallow. Perhaps there is an aspect of truth in it, I don’t know. All I can say is that I will have an eye open for updates to the UCI website and investigate whether indeed they are reflecting in the KCF’s actions. I would, nevertheless, like to hear your opinions and testimonies to this point.

Nick Sewe of the Kenyan Riders has a valid UCI license as a bike mechanic, and she aknowledged that fact. We need more of such persons with such qualifications, don’t you think?

I would very much like to hear back from you with your comments, criticisms, testimonies…. You can reach me on my phone at +254707047249, or on my facebook account “Tapout Jose”.

Stay tuned for more information.