Sports Cabinets Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has responded to reports stating that the Kenyan women amputee team was stranded at an airport in Germany.
Multiple reports on social media had indicated that Kenya’s Women’s Amputee Football team was left stranded in Germany after taking part in the Amputee Football World Cup in Colombia.
As per the reports, the team was stuck in Frankfurt, Germany, while returning home from the 2024 Women’s Amputee Football World Cup that was held at the Romelio Martinez Stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia.
Kenyans based in Germany reportedly came together to assist the team with food supplies, water and personal effects during their stay at the airport.
However, Murkomen refuted the reports stating that the players were offered accommodation by a German airline.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, CS Murkomen said the team was supposed to fly back to Nairobi on a Lufthansa flight via Frankfurt.
Why Amputee Team Slept at the Airport
The players, according to the CS, did not have the Schengen visas which prevented them from accessing accommodation outside the airport. Lufthansa offered to accommodate them inside one of the lounges in the airport, which Murkomen says opened window for the speculations.
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“Contrary to the misleading claims circulating online, no complaints were raised by the players, managers, or accompanying ministry officials,” Murkomen stated.
“Unfortunately, someone abused their privileged access by capturing video content without consent, violating the team’s privacy and misrepresenting the situation as abandonment.”
In his statement, Murkomen said the team is currently en route to Nairobi. He went on to congratulate the team for its performance in the tournament.
Colombia came in first by defeating the USA 2-0 on penalties after registering a 1-1 draw during regular time.
Other athletes reported to have been neglected by govt
The Kenyan team demonstrated resilience through the tough competition under the leadership of the head coach Clement Otieno. During the semi-finals, Kenya lost 1-0 to Colombia but had secured a 1-0 win over Ukraine in the quarterfinals.
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This is not the first time that the government has come under sharp criticism after athletes have been abandoned while enroute to take part in competitions or on their way back home.
In August 2024, the government came under fire after the Kenya’s national women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, was reportedly left stranded at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport upon their arrival from France.
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