The international break is a drag for some of us. There ain't much to look forward to. You see, in my country, football is a stepping stone to political office.
What's more, we have a private company running the local league effectively shutting out a host of stakeholders. When it comes to the national team, everything from the playing kits to live coverage of matches is auctioned to the biggest bidder. In our football dealings, there is no consideration for national interests or for long term strategic interests like the need to develop talent.
The coaches are recycled amongst a few select individuals depending on the patronage of the officials in charge at the moment. Yes, we boast of players in top leagues world wide including Inter midfielder MacDonald Mariga, a treble winner with Jose Mourinho last season, but that is as far as it goes. Fellow gooners, that is the story of football in Kenya.
So in escape, the 38million strong East African nation satisfies its soccer madness with European soccer. Much like most of Africa, the English premier league is big here. Almost religious I might add. I don't need to point out that I am blogging about Arsenal or that in 2009 following the UEFA champions league semifinal humiliation by Manchester United, a Kenyan gooner sadly chose to end their life. Need I say more?
Therefore, it is a reprieve that the international break is finally over. Now, Kenyan males and an increasing number of females will get back to their favorite weekend past time. In the shanties of Kibera, television shows in rural Kenya, restaurants and pubs in the capital Nairobi and in homes of the well to do, courtesy of pan-African South African cable television network Multichoice, Cesc Fabregas, Bendtner and hopefully in a short while Aaron Ramsey will step out in the favored Arsenal jersey.
No formal studies yet, but by the look of things, Arsenal is the most supported club in East Africa's economic powerhouse. Birmingham is up next at the Emirates and Arsenal currently fourth in the table, need to get back to their winning ways before the trip to the Manchester money bags. B52, claims that he will be ready to face the club where he spent a season on loan in the season before Thierry Henry finally left Arsenal for evil Barcelona. God knows that we need more personnel to end this trophy drought. All the same, I will just be glad to see Arsenal in Action again.
A proper talk on the game and footballing aspects to come in the hours ahead. Singing out from the Equator; till then siku njema [good day] fellow gooners.
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