This archive report was first published on 9 November 2019.
Kenya's roller skating national team is in a precarious situation at the inaugural African Roller Games in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. The team, consisting of four skaters and one official, has been struggling to make ends meet since their arrival on Monday.
According to a distress call posted on Facebook by New Horizon Skating Club coach, Mercy Omwina, the team is in dire need of financial support. Omwina, who is following the team's progress from Nairobi, wrote, 'We are back on road races today, (Friday), keep the team in prayer. We are running short of accommodation money. Kindly support with any amount.'
The team has managed to bag five medals on the track, including two gold and three silver, but their financial struggles have been a major concern. Team manager Naomi Wambui revealed that the team had inadequate cash for boarding and registration fees.
The team's financial woes are attributed to the failure to secure government sponsorship. As a result, they have been forced to activate their survival instincts to get by one day at a time.
