WPL reverts to the zonal league format
In a move aimed at cutting costs for Women Premier League (WPL) clubs, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has reverted the league to the zonal format where the 16 teams will be split in Zone A and B.
The league was unified in 2018, the same season that FKF committed to giving the 16 teams a grant of Sh750,000 each per season to ease club operations and logistics while honoring away matches.
However, the clubs only benefited in 2018 and had to make do without the support in the 2019 season.
This led to walkovers that resulted in two clubs, Nyuki Starlets and Vihiga Leeds, being relegated to the Division One league.
Clubs in Nairobi and its environs have been grouped in Zone A while those in Western, Nyanza and Rift Valley are in pool B.
While Zone A will have shorter distances to travel to honour away matches with Thika Queens and Gaspo Youth the only teams outside Nairobi, Zone B clubs still have long trips to make.
For instance, newly promoted Society Empowerment Project (SEP) Oyugis in Homa Bay County and Oserian Ladies from Naivasha are in Zone B, meaning that the teams will still have to travel far for selective matches.
Some club officials also feel that the move might affect the level of competition in women’s football and consequently the quality of players in the national team.
However, FKF vice chairperson Doris Petra says the move was necessary and, while admitting it could affect the level of competition, it is highly unlikely to affect the quality of players the league produces.
“We have not been able to get funding for the league and this was necessary to reduce expenses for the clubs. This is a situation not unique to Kenya but we are hoping to land a title sponsor soon.
The Sh 750, 000 grant was stopped since it was unsustainable and also FIFA informed us that the money should be used for development projects and not to fund individual clubs,” said Petra.
