Government dismiss Oliech quit reports,defend EABL

News of Harambee Stars captain Dennis Oliech resignation from the national football team over purported unauthorized use of his image in an East Africa Breweries Limited (EABL) billboard moved to Parliament Thursday, with the Government denying any knowledge of allegations of exploitation of Kenyan athletes.

Assistant Sports Minister Kabando Kabando dismissed reports that the striker had resigned from the national soccer and that his images had been used illegally on a billboard.

“Oliech is a player of repute and has not submitted any letter to this effect to us on his resignation over this matter.

As far as we are concerned Oliech is still a member of Harambee stars. Kabando was responding to concerns raised by Eldoret South MP Perris Chepchumba that the leading striker who plays for French team Auxerre had resigned from the team over use of his image without his consent and any financial gains.

“I would like to clarify that according to the Contract signed in 2011 with the Harambee Stars Management Board and EABL which was endorsed by FKF then and again in 2102, the sponsors have the sole rights to use images of Players in the team’s promotional activities.”

Nominated MP Rachel Shabesh, Makadara MP Gideon Mbuvi and Boni Khalwale of Ikolomani dismissed the Ministers account on Oliech’s resignation and the row over the illegal use of images.

I have spoken to Oliech on phone over the same issue,” claimed Mbuvi. “He also confirmed to me that he wrote the letter of resignation which he sent me a copy by email sent to the Football Federation.”

Temporary House speaker Ekwe Ethuro deferred the matter to Tuesday when Kabando is expected to satisfactory explain to the House the matter and more so the purported use of sports men and women’s images.

Harambee stars technical team last week named a provisional squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers excluding foreign-based players as Football Kenya Federation, FKF began frantic efforts to have Oliech and Goalkeeper Arnold Origi rescind their decisions to quit the national team.

 Evelyn Watta

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