KBC Channel 1

Author: Dismas Otuke

  • Morocco, Portugal, and Spain to host 2030 FIFA World Cup jointly

    Morocco, Portugal, and Spain to host 2030 FIFA World Cup jointly

    Morocco, Portugal, and Spain will host the 2030 FIFA World Cup tournament as joint hosts.

    The FIFA Congress, which met on Wednesday evening, unanimously agreed to award the tournament to three Mediterranean neighbors who will qualify automatically from the existing slot allocation as hosts.

    In marking the centenary celebration ceremony of the FIFA World Cup, which was inaugurated in 2030 in Montevideo, Uruguay, the first three matches of the 2030 tournament will be held in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, respectively.

    “In a divided world, FIFA and football are uniting,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “The FIFA Council, representing the entire world of football, unanimously agreed to celebrate the centenary of the FIFA World Cup, whose first edition was played in Uruguay in 1930, in the most appropriate way.

    As a result, a celebration will take place in South America and three South American countries – Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay – will organise one match each of the FIFA World Cup 2030. The first of these three matches will of course be played at the stadium where it all began, in Montevideo’s mythical Estádio Centenário, precisely to celebrate the centenary edition of the FIFA World Cup.”

    “The FIFA Council also agreed unanimously that the only bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2030 will be the joint bid of Morocco, Portugal and Spain,” the FIFA President added. “Two continents – Africa and Europe – united not only in a celebration of football but also in providing unique social and cultural cohesion. What a great message of peace, tolerance and inclusion.

    “In 2030, we will have a unique global footprint, three continents – Africa, Europe and South America – six countries – Argentina, Morocco, Paraguay, Portugal, Spain and Uruguay – welcoming and uniting the world while celebrating together the beautiful game, the centenary and the FIFA World Cup,” the FIFA President concluded.
    Morocco becomes the second African country to stage the global football tournament Bonanza after South Africa in 2010.

    Morocco began construction of an ultramodern stadium in Casablanca with over 80,000 capacity since they announced their joint bid with Spain, Portugal, and Spain.

    The 2030 FIFA World Cup will consist of 48 teams, similar to the 2026 tournament, which will be held jointly by the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

  • Doctors without Borders offer psychological support to earthquake victims in Morocco

    Doctors without Borders offer psychological support to earthquake victims in Morocco

    A team of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) famously referred as Médecins Sans Frontières,has been deployed in Morocco to offer psychological support for the affected populations, healthcare workers, and volunteers who worked in the aftermath of the earthquake that hit the North African country last month.

    Following August 2023, MSF dispatched emergency teams to evaluate the humanitarian and medical situation in the most severely affected  regions in the provinces of Al Haouz, Taroudant, and Chichaoua in which 30 sites were examined by five MSF teams.

    Overall, the response from the Moroccan government, its bilateral allies, and the Moroccan people was astounding hence reducing the number of deaths and causalities.

    The installation of forward-looking It was essential to have medical posts, field hospitals, and transfer capabilities to ensure a rapid medical and humanitarian response.

    MSF teams has also lauded the Moroccan government’s immediate response which reduced the impact in terms of number of deaths and causalities.

    In addition to this evaluation, MSF teams gave six donations between September 12 and September 17 in response to specific needs that were at the time identified by hospitals or health centers among them injectable medications, analgesics, antibiotics, insulin, and medical equipment  which were coordinated with the Moroccan government.

    Search and rescue teams and frontline volunteers were urgently needed to provide psychological support to those who were most severely affected by the situation.

    MSF teams at the same time lauded the comprehensiveness of the Moroccan government’s response, which left few gaps.

    In addition to this assessment, between September 12 and 17, MSF teams made six donations in response to specific needs expressed at the time by health centers or hospitals.

    The targeted donations were coordinated with the Moroccan authorities and contained medical equipment and medicines, such as injectable drugs, analgesics, antibiotics, insulin, and medical equipment.

    The hardest-hit people by the crisis urgently needed psychological support, which included search and rescue teams and frontline volunteers.

    So far, MSF teams have spoken to dozens of distressed women and men in the heavily affected areas at all the sites assessed.

    Most had lost relatives or friends or had seen their homes and villages razed to the ground, while others were still waiting for the bodies of their loved ones to be found, fully aware that finding them alive was no longer an option.

    “We will provide mental health activities and first-aid psychological support to local organizations and affected people, as well as to front-line workers, mainly through networks of Moroccan psychologists, social workers, health promoters, and other volunteers,” explains Fouzia Bara.

    Despite this, the Moroccan authorities, with the support of certain governments, have managed to clear people from the rubble, treat the injured, use helicopters to transport the injured from the most remote areas, and distribute food and other supplies to those affected”. concluded Faouzia

    A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck central Morocco early in August, killing 2,862 people and injuring around 6,000.

    The earthquake mainly affected the rural area of the High Atlas Mountains, causing landslides and collapses and damaging many roads.

  • Cabinet approves construction of a new 60,000-capacity stadium for AFCON 2027

    Cabinet approves construction of a new 60,000-capacity stadium for AFCON 2027

    Kenyan Cabinet has approved the construction of a 60,000-seat stadium to stage the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals, which will be hosted jointly by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

    This was agreed upon and approved by the cabinet in its October 3rd meeting at State House Nairobi, which was chaired by President William Ruto.

    The government has also earmarked renovations for the Moi International Sports Centre-Kasarani, Nyayo Stadium, and Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, which will be used during the 36th edition of the AFCON finals.

    Each of the three east African nations will set aside at least two stadiums with 40,000+ capacity for staging the AFCON matches and the other two training stadiums for training with a minimum of 15,000 seats.

    Ivory Coast will stage next year’s AFCON finals before handing over to Morocco, which will host the 2025 edition.

  • Football stakeholders calls on CS Ababu to bring sobriety in FKF leadership ahead of 2027 AFCON finals

    Football stakeholders calls on CS Ababu to bring sobriety in FKF leadership ahead of 2027 AFCON finals

    Football stakeholders in the country have appealed to the cabinet secretary for youth affairs, the arts, and sports, Ababu Namwamba, to ensure a smooth and sober leadership transition at the Football Kenya Federation in next year’s election to guarantee good planning and organization of the 2027 AFCON finals set to be staged in Kenya.

    Addressing the media on Tuesday, the caucus group led by former internal players Bobby Ogolla and Harold Ndege called on CS Ababu to compel the current office to draw the road map ahead of next year’s election.

    “It’s prudent for the CS for Youth Affairs, the Arts & Sports Hon.Ababu Namwamba to provide a road map for the February 24th 2024 FKF elections with an election board, election code, and voter register to usher in a new administration that has integrity, is accountable and transparent, and has the capacity to organize the event, said Ndege.

    The group lauded Cs Ababu for steering a successful bid for Kenya to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in the East Africa Pamoja bid, which they believe will open new opportunities for the country.

    Football Stakeholders addressing the media in Nairobi

    The FKF elections are set for February 24th next year, with many candidates already having declared their interest in managing the game.

    The stakeholders are worried that unless the CS intervenes and ensures a smooth electoral process for FKF office bearers, the pull and push for different groups may affect preparations and planning for the 36th edition of AFCON.

    Kenya will jointly stage the 2027 AFCON finals alongside its neighbors Tanzania and Uganda.

  • Odemba names Rising Starlets team for the Angola assignment

    Odemba names Rising Starlets team for the Angola assignment

    The Kenya U20 Women’s National team, Rising Starlets Coach Beldine Odemba, has named the provisional squad for the upcoming two-legged second qualification round against Angola for the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup later this month.

    The first leg will take place in Nairobi on  8th of this month and the second leg will take place in Angola on Saturday, October 14, 2023.

    The 24 players called up joined the camp on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

    Angola players are expected to arrive in the country on October 6, 2023 ahead of the fixture.

    Provisional Squad
    Goalkeepers
    Nelly Achieng (Soccer Assassins), Judith Okumu (Butere Girls), Scovia Awuor (Sigtuna Football Academy), Christine Omolo (Butere Girls)

    Defenders
    Dorcas Glenda (Red Commandos), Ruth Akinyi (Nasokol Girls), Charity Luhavi (Wiyeta Girls), Mollyne Akinyi (Acakoro), Velma Kaveza (Itigo girls), Purity Awino (Nairobi Starlets), Anne Brenda Achieng (Macmillan Queens), Elizabeth Ochaka (Butere Girls)

    Midfielders
    Clotilda Auma (Butere Girls), Hellen Auma (Soccer Assassins), Jane Hato (Soccer Assassins), Susan Akoth (Acakoro), Jerrine Adhiambo (Soccer Assassins), Faith Atieno (Soccer Assassins), Anno Halima Dima (Kayole Starlet), Elizabeth Muteshi (Nakuru City Queens), Rebecca Kwoba (Zetech Sparks), Rachel Adhiambo (Acakoro)

    Forwards
    Elizabeth Mideva (Arch Bishop Njenga), Fasila Adhiambo (Ulinzi Starlets), Valerie Nekesa (Soccer Assassins), Faith Naliaka (Bukhaywa Secondary School), Anne Nabwire (Zetech Sparks), Marion Serenge (Arch Bishop Njenga), Charity Midewa (Soccer Assassins), Emily Okute (Gaspo Women)
    The overall winner of the tie  will face the winner of the second-round tie pitting Cameroon against Botswana.

  • Triumphant team Kenya to jet back from Latvia

    Triumphant team Kenya to jet back from Latvia

    Triumphant team Kenya in the inaugural world athletics road running championships is expected to jet back  from Riga,Latvia on Monday night aboard a Lufthansa flight.

    The team, comprising 21 athletes, emerged as overall champions in Sunday’s championships, with five gold, three silver, and four bronze medals.

    Individual gold medals were won by Sebastien Sawe and Peres Jepchirchir in the half-marathon races, with Kenya also bagging two team gold medals in the same event, as well as by Beatrice Chebet, who won gold in the 5km race.

  • Mukuru and Maroon Combined begin their Sakaja Super Cup campaign with victories

    Mukuru and Maroon Combined begin their Sakaja Super Cup campaign with victories

    Maroon FC and Mukuru Combined opened their inaugural Sakaja Super Cup campaign with wins in Sunday’s matches played at the Police SACCO Stadium in Nairobi.

    Mukuru combined came from behind to dispatch Creative Hands 4-2, with Alphan Muthoka netting four goals for the winners.

    In another fixture, Maroon FC trounced South Carolina United 3-0, with Eric Sifa scoring an own goal before Brian Omondi and Kennedy Nderitu netted once each to win the match beyond hapless South Carolina.

    Nairobi County Assembly overcame the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) 2-1 in the tournament curtain raiser.

    The inaugural edition of the Sakaja Super Cup brings together 340 teams spread across the 17 constituencies of Nairobi county and is fubded by the Sakaja Foundation.

    The final is set for December 16th, with men winners being rewarded with Ksh 3 million, while the women champions will pocket Ksh 1 million.

  • Kenyans rule the World Road Running Championships

    Kenyans rule the World Road Running Championships

    Kenya ruled the world once again  after emerging  overall champions of the inaugural World Athletics Road Running Championships held on Sunday in Riga,Latvia.

    Kenya topped the medal table with a total of 5 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze medals , ahead of their arch-rivals Ethiopia, who bagged 7 medals: 2 gold, 4 silver, and a bronze.

    The tantalizing performance saw Kenyans register a podium sweep in both men and women half marathons, as well as bagging both teams titles over the distance.

    Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir, sustained stiff completion to retain last year’s title, outsprinting Margaret Chelimo by 80 meters to finish line with a championship time of 1:7:25, ahead of Chelimo and Catherine Relin who took silver and bronze medals, respectively.

    It was the same story in the men’s 21km as Sebastien Sawe stamped his authority to outsprint world 5000m silver medalist Daniel Simiu Ebenyo with 50 meters to go, to clinch gold with a championship record of 59:10, while Simiu and Samwel Mailu, took silver and bronze medals in that order.

    Reigning world cross country champion Beatrice Chebet opened the Kenyan medal basket, clinching victory in the 5km race with a championship record of 14:35, while compatriot Lillian Kasait was awarded silver, as Ethiopian Elgajehu Taye, who was leading until the last 100 meters, completed podium positions.

    Beatrice Chebet crossing finish line to win gold in 5Km race

    Ethiopians dominated the 5km men’s race  Hagos Gebrehiwet winning gold, while silver went to Yomif Kejelcha, as Kenyan Nicholas Kipkorir took bronze.

    The Road Mile’s race was full of surprises, with winners shattering world records.

    American Hobbs Kesler set a new world record in the men’s race, clocking 3:56.15, while silver went to Briton Elson Calum as Samwel Prakel completed American dominance with a bronze.

    Sebastian Sawe wining half marathon race

    Tripple 1500m world champion Faith Kipyegon led from the gun but was outsprinted by Ethiopian teen Diribe Welteji, who smashed the world record as her compatriot Hailu Frewyni scooped silver while Kipyegon settled for a bronze.

  • CS Owalo motivates Shabana FC ahead of their Ingwe clash

    CS Owalo motivates Shabana FC ahead of their Ingwe clash

    FKF Premier side Shabana FC has been motivated ahead of their Sunday Premier League clash against AFC Leopards at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, after the cabinet secretary for information technology and the digital economy Eliud Owalo hosted them for luncheon on Friday.

    Owalo urged more goodwill Kenyans to support community-based clubs, as they are the foundation of Kenyan football.

    “Today’s gesture is just to congratulate you on your promotion to play in the Kenyan Premier League and to challenge you to win your Sunday match against the AFC Leopards.

    Shabana FC is the 3rd largest club in the history of Kenyan football after Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, and one thing I can assure the club with other leaders present here today is that I will support it and ensure they get sponsors.” said Owalo

    CS Owalo hands over tracksuits to Shana FC Captain Peter Ogechi

    During the luncheon, CS Owalo donated training track suits to the team and a token of Ksh 500,000, of which 200,000 were given to Shabana legends led by former Kenyan international striker Henry  Motego, while the current play unit received Ksh 300,000 as motivation ahead of their Sunday match.

    “It’s my wish to see some Shabana players in the Harambee Stars AFCON 2027 finals, which will be staged in Kenya for the first time.” Concluded Owalo

    Former Central Bank of Kenya chairman Mohammed Nyaoga also pledged to support the team with a similar amount of 500,000.

    CS Owalo fronted by Gusii Professionals during the Shabana FC luncheon

    Owalo was fronted by Abagusii professionals, among them Senior Counsel Mohammed Nyaoga, Chairman Harambee Stars Management Board; CECAFA SG, Auka Gecheo; Director Bomas of Kenya, Purity Moraa; Michael Monari; Commodities Fund Kenya Chair, Duke Maingi; Mr. Nyangweso; Coach Sammy Okorh; and Mr. Omanga, among others.

    Among the Shabana legends who attended the luncheon were Richard Otambo, Charles Ombongi, Yobes Mose, Sammy Ondabu, and John Onasi.

    Shabana FC lies 17th in the 2023/2024 FKF Premier League table with 2 points from the opening 4 matches as they make their return to the top-tier league for the first time since 2006.

  • FRMF President hails CAF on awarding Morocco 2025 AFCON hosting rights

    FRMF President hails CAF on awarding Morocco 2025 AFCON hosting rights

    Morocco Federation FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa, President has emphasized that the unanimous decision by members of the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Executive Committee to grant Morocco the the hosting rights for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is a culmination of the development initiatives spearheaded by King Mohammed VI over the past two decades across various domains.

    In a statement to following the CAF Executive Committee meeting in Cairo on Wednesday, Lekjaa underlined that this choice also underscores Morocco’s readiness to host major sporting events under optimal conditions.

    “Today, Morocco, with unanimous African approval and without any debate, has the honor of hosting the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

    It is the crowning achievement of extraordinary work led by a Great King. It is also the finest reward for a football-loving nation,” he said.

    He went added that hosting 2025 AFCON in Morocco is the first step, to be followed by another significant endeavor: bidding to host the 2030 World Cup jointly with Spain and Portugal.

    In this regard, Lekjaa stressed that the Kingdom will transform this event into a “rebirth of Mediterranean civilization between the north and south of the Mediterranean,” noting that the African continent will rally behind Morocco to achieve this goal, which is also an African aspiration.

    The Kingdom of Morocco was unanimously chosen as the host nation for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (2025 AFCON) following the meeting of the CAF Executive Committee in Cairo on Wednesday.

    Morocco will stage the 2025 AFCON finals across six stadia of Fez,Mohammed V in Casablanca,Prince Mouley Abdellah in Rabat,Stade de Adrar in Agadir,grande stade de Tangier and grande stade de Marrakech.