Lack of proper medical facilities at match venues a serious concern for Caretaker Committee
Questions have risen on the levels of preparedness by the league organisers incase of a serious injury during a match, after a series of incidents where the ambulances at match venues were found not to be having the basic requirements.
On January 8, Sofapaka, who had travelled to Nakuru to face hosts Ulinzi Stars in a league match at the ASK Show Grounds, protested and demanded for a well equipped ambulance, as per the rules of the game, after finding out that the van did not had oxygen and AD for resuscitation among other basic equipment.
The match commissioner of the fixture James Kagera decided to call off the match after close to one hour after the host team failed to meet the requirements.
Sofapaka President Elly Kalekwa is now questioning why the Caretaker Committee, appointed by the Sports Cabinet Secretary three months ago to oversee the operations of the sport, have taken too long to award them the full points, more than eight day after the incident.
“The rules are very clear, unless the Caretaker Committee is not using the Fifa and CAF rules and if that is the case, we would like to know which rules they are using to run this league,” Kalekwa told People Sport.
A section of Ulinzi officials had argued that the match should have continued despite the ill-equipped ambulance, because there was a hospital about five minutes drive from the match venue.
A fortnight ago, National Super League side Dandora Love was awarded three points against Mully Children’s Foundation (MCF) at the Thika Stadium after the match was stopped following an injury to a Dandora Love player and he could not get treatment from the ambulance that was at the venue.
Match ended prematurely
Almost a similar incident occurred at the Kericho Green Stadium two weeks ago when hosts Zoo hosted Muranga Seal, but the match ended prematurely after it emerged that the ambulance on site didn’t have necessary requirements to treat an injured Muranga Seal player. Muranga Seal and Sofapaka are yet to be awarded the maximum points.
According to article 3.4.4 of the Football Kenya regulations: “It is the responsibility of a home team to inform the nearest public health institution of their home game for the institution to be on stand-by and where possible to have a medical practitioner or physiotherapist in attendance throughout a match.”
Article 3.4.5 says: “Each club shall be required to provide it’s own medical team and the home club shall provide First Aid and emergency facilities.”
In light of the return of sports, Covid-19 protocols as well as the CAF and Fifa guidelines, two well equipped ambulances must be at match venues.
In August 2019, Shabana player Evans Obutu succumbed to a pitch injury as there were no first aid services during a local duel.
Veteran Fifa recognised sports doctor Andrew Suleh called for adequate preparations before matches to ensure that everything was in place.
“I have just been coopted to the medical committee where we will be with Wyclef Makanga and I can assure you that we will streamline this issue.
“There basic requirements which are two well equipped ambulances that must have oxygen.
They have to be two so that the match does not stop in case one evacuates a player to hospital,” Suleh told People Sport.
He added: “Referees must inspect and ensure all the medical equipment are in place during pre-match and not wait for protests during a match.
At the end of the day it is not about three points, but the safety of the players, technical officials, match officials and even fans, before, during and after the match.”
