NAIROBI, Kenya, November 19 – Tour De France champion Chris Froome, has put the Kenya Cycling Federation (KCF) to the sword by urging them to do more for the growth of the sport.
The Kenyan born Briton, who was speaking in Nairobi on Tuesday, said there is huge cycling talent that goes to waste due to negligence by the local cycling governing body.
“It’s sad to see that after 20 years the federation has done nothing because change has to be made, I met with the officials recently and asked them their plans, but they had nothing concrete including programmes for youngsters,”
“Cycling in Africa is a challenge due to poor infrastructure; I started by riding a mountain bike which is not recommended in competition and again the head of management are not keen on developing the sport in the continent,” Froome, who switched his nationality to Britain following frustrations from local cycling bosses, stated.
Racing in a sport whose reputation came under intense scrutiny following reports of cheating in the recent past, he welcomed the proposed increase in the suspension period by the World Anti Doping Agency, from two to four years.
“Cycling is the cleanest sport comparing to athletics and the rest, every one participating for the Tour de France must be tested before they enter competition.
“It would definitely not be easy to contend again, but I’m ready to go thought it and for the next six months, I will be training hard because winning once again will be my best achievement in my life,” he explained.
Froome who was born in Kenya and started his cycling career locally, winning the first medal for the country on the bike at the All Africa games in 2007 in Algeria when he grabbed a silver, regretted despite the KCF heads having occupied the offices for decades they had little to show for it.
The Team Sky rider who was flanked by his childhood mentor and trainer David Kinjah, outlined various projects that he intends to undertake so as to help develop the sport in the country.
One of the projects is to fund the Simba Safariz, a group of upcoming cyclists who are under the guidance of Kinja.
His biggest mission is to set up an institution that will tap and develop local talent.
He said that his biggest rival is three time Olympic champion Bradley Wiggins who is also his team mate.
Froome who has been in the county for two weeks, departed for South Africa where he will pitch camp as he seeks to defend the title next year.
