The government has been urged to put more resources to grow sports.
Former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, said such investments should not only be in cash but in kind and technical expertise.
“The government can begin this initiative by honouring sports legends such as Joe Kadenge for the indelible mark they left in sports.
“I highly recommend that City Stadium be renamed Joe Kadenge Stadium in his honour,” Raila said during the launch of the book “Joe Kadenge: The Life of a Football Legend”, written by BBC journalist John Nene.
Mr Odinga said recognising Kadenge would be part of the beginning of preserving the country’s great sports culture and heritage for generations to come.
READ MORE
Kibaki and Raila's 'marriage of convenience' that failed
US envoy exits, praised by Ruto but censured by State critics
ODM intensifies bid to strengthen party amid fresh sibling rivalry
Raila wades into county cash fray, warns of plan to 'kill devolution'
Sports Commissioner, Gordon Oluoch, said it is important to document Kenyan sports men and women.
“It is important that we share with our future generations on the great sporting activities and icons as sports remains one of Kenya’s great unique resource that to date puts us on the world map. We need to grow and preserve this treasure,” he said.
Joe Kadenge urged sportsmen and women to be diligent and play clean as sports today is rewarding. “I persevered the times as I charted the waters and played clean. Please stay clean and be virtuous. It pays in the long-run,” he said.
Nene told fellow sports journalists to write biographies and tell Kenya’s story by documenting it in books so the story can be told and retold for generations.
“I wrote this book to recognise and share the life and time of Joe Kadenge the great, and also of his colleagues.
“Some examples in the book show the good, the bad and the ugly. There are lessons I believe footballers can learn that will return this sector to its glorious days,” he said.
Reminiscing of the good old days in football, Stephen Ochieng, - a great football player since 1953, - told of how Kadenge, a young man then surprised many with his great skill.
“He would meticulously weave his way through a great defence and before we know it, a the ball was in the net,” he noted.
