Origi airs out rot in national team

By Sports Editor Omondi Onyatta

Harambee Stars custodian Arnold Origi has sensationally highlighted the tribulations that the national team undergoes in its international assignments. In a revelation that is bound to ruffle top football administrators the wrong way, the Norwegian-based player lambasted the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) for turning the team into a laughing stock.

Origi, in an interview with Carol Radull, revealed that there were poor preparations for Kenya’s recent friendly against Libya in Tunis. “At the airport, we did not even look like a national team. People kept asking us if we were the real national team for Kenya,” Origi emotionally enthused.

The Lillestrom keeper also poured his heart out concerning the tribulations that they underwent in training. “It was very cold and we just had to use kikois to cover ourselves. We have complained several times but the administrators tell us to wait for the new government when everything will change,” he said.

More surprises were in store as Origi revealed that laxity had become the norm in the upper echelons of football administration. “One time, we had to take off our tracksuits at the airport because the under-20 side needed them for an international match. It is painful and heartbreaking but we have braved it all to put in impressive performances. Any player from another country would not put up with what we go through,” he said.

Origi, who made his debut for Kenya in 2004, said that most players, especially the local-based, could not speak out for fear of victimisation. “One of us was even threatened that he would not be called up for future assignments if he did not cease his activism.”

These revelations will cast a dark cloud over FKF, which has been trying to redeem its image as a rogue federation. Of late, it has been organising friendly matches in line with international friendly breaks; this was not the norm in the past.

Origi advised the federation to seek a kit sponsor since there are so many in the world. “There are so many kit sponsors that we do not need to wait for a new government. We need all the necessary training equipment. Even third division sides in Norway have them,” he stated.

First published in February 2013.