Gov’t proposes bill to ring fence Sports Fund for sports development only

Established in 2018 under the Public Finance Management (Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund) Regulations, the SASD Fund currently funds sports, arts, and social development, including universal health care programmes.

“This Amendment Regulation seeks to amend the Public Finance Management (Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund) Regulations, 2018 by limiting the mandate to funding the development and promotion of sports and arts only. The amendments also clarify the administration of the Fund,” read the National Treasury’s statement on the proposed amendments.

If the amendments are adopted by the National Assembly, universal health care programmes which take 60 percent share of the Fund will cease to benefit from the kitty, handing the sports sector a huge boost.

In its current structure, 35 percent of the Fund’s share goes to the promotion and development of sports with 20 percent allocated to the promotion and development of arts.

“The Amendment Regulation, once considered and approved by the National Assembly, will ensure that Fund objectives will be amended to provide funding to support the development and promotion of sports and arts, including facilitation for the acquisition and Provision of equipment for sports and arts, enhancing support and access to funding for sportspersons and sports organizations on their participation in sporting events and competitions, financing the development of sports and recreation arts facilities, among others,” the statement added.

The amendments are huge boost to the sports development as the country intensifies preparations for the for the Africa Cup of Nations 2027, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

“Now, pursuant to Section 4 (a) and 5 (3) (a) and (b) of the Statutory Instruments Act, 2013, the National Treasury & Economic Planning invites members of the public to submit comments, inputs or memoranda they may have on the said draft The Public Finance Management (Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 in the format provided on the website.”

In the 2024/2025 financial year, National Treasury recommended the allocation of Sh 16.5 billion to the Sports Fund which was an increase from Sh 6.4 billion the sector received in the 2023/2024 national budget.