Sports

Former Kenyan Olympic champion Wilfred Bungei gives reasons for joining politics

Published

1 week ago

June 17, 2024

Former Kenyan 800m Olympic champion turned politician, Wilfred Bungei, has explained the reason behind his decision to transit into the murky world of politics.

In an interview on the Safari za Mabingwa show hosted by Oga Obinna, Bungei recounted an embarrasing encounter that left him with no choice but to contest politics.

The former Olympic champion who ran in the Emgwen Parliamentary in 2017 but failed to win the seat, recounted the embarrassing incident that made him venture into politics.

Bungei, however, said he was not affected by the loss since he was not in the running for the money but rather, to help his community.

He went on to narrate how he booked an appointment with a top Managing Director in the country but never had a chance to sit down with him because shortly after he arrived at the destination, two MP’s walked into the office before him, but after waiting three hours, the meeting had to be canceled.

Bungei said he was frustrated and concluded that the only way to help his people was by joining politics because there, doors would be easier to access and open.

“I was going to see a certain MD, and I won’t mention his name, a very senior person and he asked me to see him at 6:30 in the morning as he had requested. You know these guys, you need to see them earlier before the office hours.

“After 20 minutes, I was told to be patient and then some MPs walked in and they just stayed in that office until 9:00.

“This was around 2014. After that, the guy walked out and said, ‘Wilfred I’m really sorry, hawa wanaume wameniweka (These guys have engaged me for long).’

“I realised that MPs are the only people who will have all doors opened for them and I said that the only way to help my people was only to be an MP. It wasn’t for money or fame because I spent almost Ksh 100 million,’’ he said.

The 43-year-old Bungei added that he never wanted fame when he decided to venture into the dirty game because deep down, he knew he still wanted to do something for his people back in the village and he thought politics was the way to go.

He added that during his time as a runner, he had so many people who would come to seek help from him and he believed by being the area MP, he would be able to help everyone.

“When I ran for politics, most people thought that I wanted money or fame but I believe that I had made a name that was bigger than going for a seat as an MP.

“I ran for office because I felt that I still had something that I could be able to do for my society. The only way that I knew I could be there for them is by representing them.

“When I was in athletics and people knew that I had money, they would come and ask for help from me and I realised that the only platform I could be able to help people would be through politics.

“We regard politicians so high in this country compared to professionals and this is where I have a problem and many times I would go to an office to seek something and I would be told, ‘Wilfred we know you and we shall see what to do.’,” he said.

Related Topics:Featured Kenya Olympics Politics Wilfred Bungei

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Sports

NBA to launch first African basketball school in Egypt

Published

22 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The NBA has announced plans to launch its first African Basketball School in Cairo, Egypt, in January 2025.

The NBA Basketball School, which is in collaboration with the New Era Education, a Cairo-based educational services and school management company, will be located at Uppingham School Cairo, in New Giza.

A statement by New Era Education Board Chairman Dr. Tamer Tammam, stated that the NBA Basketball School will cater for youths between the ages of five and 18.

“The year-round, basketball development program will cover on-court training, skill development and basketball education for all skill levels,” Tammam said.

“The collaboration with NBA Africa on the NBA Basketball School program underscores our dedication to providing youth with opportunities for growth and development, both on-and-off the court.

“Through this initiative, our students and their families will access a world-class training program that fosters leadership skills and promotes overall personal growth.

“The NBA Basketball School will build on the league’s previous initiatives in Cairo, including the last three Basketball Africa League Nile Conference group phases, Jr. NBA clinics for local youth, the 18th edition of Basketball Without Borders Africa, the launch of the NBA Egypt office in January 2023, and more,” he added.

The NBA Basketball School curriculum, which is designed to develop players and provide parents, coaches and organizations with a better understanding of the process of improvement, was created by the NBA’s International Basketball Operations department in consultation with current and former NBA coaches, players and player development specialists.

Since 2017, NBA Basketball Schools have been launched in Australia, Brazil, China, the Dominican Republic, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Lithuania, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Uruguay.

NBA Africa is an affiliate of the National Basketball Association (NBA), a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. NBA Africa conducts the league’s business in Africa, including the Basketball Africa League (BAL), and has opened subsidiary offices in Cairo, Egypt; Dakar, Senegal; Johannesburg, South Africa; Lagos, Nigeria; and Nairobi, Kenya.

Sports

South Africa defeats West Indies to reach T20 semi-finals

Published

2 days ago

June 24, 2024

Isaac Dachen

South Africa have qualified for the semi-finals of the ongoing T20 World Cup after defeating co-host West Indies in a tense three-wicket win on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in a winner-takes-all Super 8s match.

With the win on Sunday, the African team has remain unbeaten at the World Cup after a seventh straight win which also saw them defeat England and USA along the way.

The Proteas go through top of the group, with England second, and will face the runners-up in Group 1.

Reports on the pulsating match showed that the South African team have been involved in a number of extremely tight games but keep getting over the line with different players stepping up at crucial times.

“After England secured their place in the last four on Sunday, the game in Antigua was essentially a quarter-final to decide the other side to progress from Group 2,” the report said.

“Chasing a DLS revised target of 123, South Africa wobbled at times but ultimately withstood the pressure and Marco Jansen thumped a six to seal the win with five balls to spare.

“Having restricted West Indies to 135-8, the Proteas appeared in control but Andre Russell struck twice in the second over of the chase to leave them 15-2.

“The Windies’ momentum was halted immediately, though, by a sudden downpour that kept the players off the field for 75 minutes.

“South Africa returned with a new target from 17 overs and a flurry of boundaries quickly put them back in the ascendency.”

Earlier in the game, it was South Africa’s spinners who did the damage with the ball with Tabraiz Shamsi taking 3-28.