KPL contract expires today, CEO Oguda remains adamant
Kenyan Premier League’s (KPL) tenure to run the top tier league expires today as Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF PL) takes over the operations officially amid pockets of resistance.
Yesterday KPL Chief Executive Officer Jack Oguda told People Sport that the outgoing management will not hand over the responsibility until the league’s governing council meets and charts the way forward.
“We expected to have the FKF polls in February this year so that we have ample time to negotiate a new contract with the new federation executives, but that did not happen.
So we have to wait for October 17 for the polls and after new officials are elected, then probably we can negotiate,” Oguda said.
He added: “There is nothing like handing over the responsibilities. That will purely be the decision of the governing council, the KPL clubs have a stake in the country’s football matters and that is why they normally vote at every elections, I’m just there employee.”
FKF president Nick Mwendwa, however, said it was a new dawn for Kenyan football with the new league organisers, currently being led by a committee of five club heads lead by Ulinzi Stars chairman Erick Oloo.
“We don’t need any hand over from KPL, we have all the data base for players, referees and coaches.
We also have our own new sponsors, so there is now handover going to take place, the transition is already smooth,” Mwendwa told People Sport.
KPL that was formed in 2003 has had it’s ups and downs and can be credited for professionalizing the league and attracting a number of corporates during it’s tenure.
“The journey has been good but bumpy, especially if you look at the issue of increasing the number of league participants from 16 to 18 that saw us lose our broadcast sponsors.
I can say for the last two to three years the league has been on a downward trend,” Oguda said.
He added: “Before KPL started running the league, FKF was running the league unprofessionally and there were a lot of complains about specific teams being favoured.
At least under KPL teams like Sony Sugar, Ulinzi Stars, Mathare United and Sofapaka managed to win the league unlike under the past league handlers.”
