News

Gor and Co be warned

Monday, November 23rd, 2020 00:00 | By
FKF president Nick Mwendwa.

Webster Nyandika and Kelvin Kimathi 

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa has threatened to relegate multiple league champions Gor Mahia to the second tier league if club officials do not sign an undertaking with the FKF Premier League recognising StarTimes as the official broadcast sponsor.

Mwendwa also plans to extend the ban on former league champions Mathare United, 2010 league winners Ulinzi Stars and Kericho-based Zoo FC who are also yet to sign the undertaking.

So far the teams that have signed the undertaking are 14 after Kakamega Homeboyz became the latest side to heed to Mwendwa’s calls after their voacl leader Cleophas Shimanyula apended his signature on Friday.

The four clubs feel that they have a say in the negotiations of broadcast rights, since they are the owners of the rights, but according to article 81 of the FKF constitution of 2017, the federation  owns all football rights in the country.

Homeboyz boss Shimanyula who initially had a strong stance on the idea, changed tac saying when he fought for changes in the leadership of the sport, his please fell on deaf years.

“Now politics is over. Let us play football and allow our players earn a living,” SHimanyula said after he signed the undertaking.

“We are looking for two things, for clubs to get money and fairness. That is why we cannot run the league the way it was run by KPL for 17 years.

We will get money for the clubs, give it to the Premier League Management Committee (PMC) for them to decide how to use it,” Mwendwa said in an interview with K24.

He added: “We are moving. The teams that have not signed the undertaking will not be part of us and I don’t know which league they will play in because we only have one premier league.

It will be hard for a team like Gor Mahia to play against Posta Rangers or Sofapaka who have agreed with StarTimes to air their matches, yet Gor doesn’t want their match to be aired by StarTimes, so they are either with us or not with us.”

Mwendwa said the new committee formed last week to be headed by KCB chairman Azu Ogolla had a mandate of four years.

More on News


ADVERTISEMENT

RECOMMENDED STORIES News


ADVERTISEMENT