Former Kenya international goalkeeper Mathews Ottamax has urged the Kenyan government to offer ex-internationals better treatment during the 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) slated to kick off on August 3rd in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
With seven days to move, the East African region is set to host the eighth edition of the CHAN, a biennial African association football tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) since 2009 and first revealed in September 2007.
The participating teams must consist of players playing in their domestic league competitions.
Kenya’s Harambee Stars will make their debut in the tournament and have been pooled in Group A, whose matches will be played at Kasarani Stadium, alongside DR Congo, Angola, Morocco, and Zambia.
Group B will have Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Madagascar, Mauritania and Tanzania.
Algeria, Niger, Guinea, South Africa and Uganda are pooled in Group C, whose matches will be staged at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, while Group D comprises Congo, Nigeria, Senegal and Sudan.
Ex-Kenya heroes & heroines must be treated with decorumAccording to former Harambee Stars goalkeeper Mathews Ottamax, the CHAN tournament should be a good opportunity for the former players to be accorded respect, as they have a huge role to play.
“Envision the country’s longest-serving captain and the most capped player with over 90 caps, Musa Otieno, was compelled to watch the Kenya vs Gabon fixture at the Nyayo Stadium among the Ultras, where all sorts of delinquents are establish,” Ottamax told Betopick.
“These former stars don’t just move to the stadium as fanatics, they move there to analyse the games as most are coaches, who need to watch from a tranquil area for future references, and should be accorded better treatment.
”Ottamax, who played for AFC Leopards among other teams in the Kenyan Premier League continued: “Take a walk to our VVIP and VIP sections of our stadia, you’ll be surprised to locate that those areas are filled with ‘Gonywa Batallion’ with accreditation tags oscillating like pendulums across their chests as they move left and right in search of politicians in attendance oblivious of the happenings in the pitch of play.
.
.
some even move home without knowing the scores.
“CHAN is here with us, and with the few days remaining, it is my humble plea that the concerned authorities will see the importance of treating their former heroes and heroines with decorum akin to the nostalgic days when we were escorted to pitches like presidents.
“Forlornly, and in foreign countries, where we sang the national anthem, blinded with trickling tears in readiness to battle for the pride and glory of our country.
.
.
don’t you think we acquire to smile now?”The 2024 Africa Nations Championship will take place in Kenya, Uganda and TanzaniaFKF MediaAccording to Ottamax, former players should be allocated various duties during the tournament: “It is over time that leaders in various sports departments come out and prioritise allocation of duties to their former sportsmen and women whenever the country is confronted with hosting tournaments, be it an a (stand-alone) international fixture or long tournaments.
“Other than that, we need to treat our sportspeople with decorum when we are hosting matches by at least recognising them with VIP treatment.
”Ottamax concluded: “Ex-footballers are very modest, or just call them orderly for lack of a better word in their move toward to matters.
They carry themselves with decorum.
“This patience has been mistaken for cowardice, leading to our heroes and heroines in sports to be overlooked even in their own 'birthday parties', as is the case in the CHAN competition that is over to kick off in just over a week across the three East African Nations.
"I’m yet to listen 'VIP Tags for Legends' like we see being done in other countries.
”Harambee Stars will have the opportunity to showcase their locally based players in front of home fans, offering a unique chance to connect the national team to the grassroots and domestic leagues that shape them.
Pursue the African Nations Championship with Betopick.
AuthorBetopick
The Ultimate Guide to Winning Football Predictions with Betopick
Top 5 Best Football Prediction Sites for Winning
The Role of Data Analytics in Enhancing Football Betting Predictions
Three Things You Should Look Into Every Time You Place a Football Bet
Why 1win Stands Out as the Best Crypto Casino Right Now
FIFA president Infantino says Club World Cup is 'world's most successful competition'