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One of the most talented soccer players Kenya has ever produced now seems to have been locked out of the premiership over a technicality.
Portsmouth F.C. manager Harry "Houdini" Redknapp has been quoted as saying that his club (and probably all other English clubs) have now given up on Mariga. The reason is that it is unlikely that the British home office will sanction a work permit for the Kenyan midfielder (who is widely being called the “next Patrick Vierra”) because of Kenya’s low FIFA rankings.
Now this is an excellent opportunity for Sports minister Maina Kamanda to get into the good boks of Kenyans. He should get the entire cabinet and indeed government to interceded with the British authorities on behalf of Mariga. All he needs is an assurance of a work petrmitt from the home office, after that there are several clubs and not just Portsmouth who want him badly.
There is no doubt that the English premiership is the biggest and most visible in the world and a breakthrough of the first Kenyan player is a landmark that is so important that we should pull all stops to make it happen. Kenya has a very low FIFA ranking of 124th and apparently this had been overlooked as at least 7 English clubs fought over this “made in Kenya” raw talent.
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Kumekucha Golden Oldie
Kenyan who appeared on the cover of Time magazine
This was one of the earliest posts on Kumekucha
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I get very emotional about things like this and this is one thing that if Hon Kamanda were to pull off for Mariga, I would change my political stand and campaign for the Minister’s re-election. That is how important it is to me and indeed should be for every Kenyan who understands what we are talking about here.
We all know that this would open the door for hundreds of other talented Kenyans now wallowing in poverty to hit the big time. Imagine what that would do for hundreds of families across the country who right now as you read this are staring at the roof like zombies in hopelessness? I meet them all the time.
Hon. Kamanda this is not a bribe but I am a patriotic Kenyan who sees the immediate impact a single action can have on the lives of so many Kenyans.
Read McDonald Mariga’s profile now
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When it comes to the Work Permit in the UK, there is very little Kamanda can do. This is a UK government Home Office rule and has hit many people before Mariga. At the moment in the UK, there is a former West Indies Cricket players who has been barred from coaching on the same grounds and that his education standards are low.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing that can't be achieved by diplomacy and a little horse trading. Technically Mariga does not play his soccer in Kenya but Sweden. Then do you remember the Liverpool Zimbabwean goalie Bruce Grobbelar? Zimbabwean FIFA ratings those days can't have been that high.
ReplyDeleteAnyway it is worth a try, don't you think?
These rules were introduced after it was noticed that players could come to the UK on trial but ended up working in factories. They were only introduced recently. You might also know that Benjani Mwaruwari is from Zimbabwe. Diplomacy with the Home Office? Chris Ndarathi Murungaru!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is ridiculous. What does FIFA rankings have to do with a player playing in the EPL? Mwaruwari is just one example. Some of the most successful players in the EPL have actually been from very lowly countries. Eidur Gudjohsen who is arguably a chelsea legend comes from Iceland which is ranked 96th. Andrei Shevchenko and Hristo Stoichkov are two living examples that talent can be found anywhere in the world. If there is such a law, which I am not sure of, Then that law is a crooked law.
ReplyDeleteIf you happen to know how the Home office works then you can't be surprised by Mariga's story. So many issues are factored in consideration including education, origin and USEABILITY.
ReplyDeleteThe truth remains UK uses any available opportunity to overtly and covertly market their country as 'paradise'. They know that Mariga's story will elicit plenty of reactions and emotions in the process making mouths water at the counterfactual what ifs. So all are left to wonder what heaven tis would be. But you cannot fault them for the pride since good players like Sheva cannot give any worthy after match interview which is very important here.
The government must try to horse trade provided they have the king recognized. But can it? You gues right. Mariga may be just paying for our collective 'sins'. All of you chaps have valid reasons to back you takes but I fear is not that straight unfortunately.
It is funny in this case because Mariga is a Commonwealth Citizen and until 1997, never required a visa to go to the UK. It was only after the UK authorities discovered that Somalis were using Kenyan passports to land there then claim asyluim that things changed. to Chris, the rules were introduced recently. i have read a copy of the rules and they are explicit on that. There are about 14 players now barred, yet they have been playing in Europe. Jack Straw who hails from Blackburn wrote a letter supporting a player to his beloved Blackburn Rovers and I wish you heard the noise from the Commons. Remember, the Work Permit issue sent david blunkett packing! It is that sensitive
ReplyDeleteYou will be suprised that a ministerial appeal to the British Prime Minister by Hon Kamanda might be all that is required for Mariga to obtain a work permit. It shouldnt be lost on you guys that Mariga's success in the premiership will greatly boost Kenya soccer and also open opportunities for other youngsters. KFF wrangles are not helping matters either. I think the home office regulations not only unfair but are in conflict with FIFA statutes. FIFA does not entertain any interferance on football matters by governments!
ReplyDeleteYou people were told by Karua to sort out your own mess first...how come our football standards are so low? Why is our league in the doldrums?
ReplyDeleteWhy don't we concentrate on first cleaning up our home? Britain is not heaven, he can play in other leagues if he is good enough.
Secondly what kind of a black nigga calls himself McDonald???
Should there be a Salary Cap in Football?
ReplyDeletePersonally I think there should be! It’s just getting to be stupid money in football at the top of the premiership!
It’s always the same teams at the top proving that football success is based purely on money which ruins the idea of it being a sport! They’ve done it in rugby, basketball, hockey and American football and it makes the sports more competitive and better to watch!
I do a little Sports Spread Betting from time to time and most matches don’t hold much surprise who is going to win, its boring! I want to see a team at the bottom pulling off an amazing season beating last seasons winners in a close fought battle!
Make things fair! It shouldn’t be about money!
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