Under the microscope

With the recent losses the Kenya team have suffered at the hands of Bangladesh and then the Australian acadamy, there are not surprisingly questions being asked by various members of the media as to why. It is however irritating to see articles such as the one yesterday in the nation attacking Cricket Kenya for allowing the development projects started by the KCA to go to waste, when as Martin Williamson points out in a much more balanced article, the whole of cricket was allowed to do the same under the KCA. Why some in the media are not more supportive of Cricket Kenya and are still trying to promote what was essentially the regime that brought Kenyan cricket to its knees smacks of self interest rather than interest in the game or the common good.

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As Williamson rightly points out, no one claims the new regime under Samir Inamdar has all the answers, but at least they are working hard to try to repair the damage done. I am however interested in what they have so far done in terms of restarting the youth program, for that is what will be they key as to whether Kenyan cricket has a long-term future. Williamson's article states that there has been difficulty getting the game reintroduced to schools. This makes me wonder if the right avenues are being approached.

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As far as I understand, there are a core of private, cricket playing schools in Nairobi and upcountry that play to a fairly high standard. At prep school level these include the likes of Kenton, Banda, Pembroke and Braeburn amongst others. Have, I wonder, CK approached these schools to see what they can do to help grow the game. They already play each other throughout the Christmas term and so the basics of a league are already set up. These schools also have the facilities and staff that could potentially help less well set up schools in their region. It may be that these schools are not prepared to help, but if the games they play could in some way be used to spread the game to other school children, the opportunity should be siezed with both hands.

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Cricket Kenya still have a lot to do, but they would be able to achieve far more if the detractors actually gave them a fair go. It will be a long hard slog to get the game to where we all want it and this will only be achieved if we all work together. Whatever happened to the spirit of Harambee and pulling together?