We’re going the Fifa way
A section of Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League clubs have declared they will no longer take part in any league not sanctioned by the world football governing body Fifa.
In a joint statement yesterday, the clubs rued the lack of opportunities that had been occassioned not playing in a Fifa sanctioned competition.
“After consultation within teams forming the FKF Premier League, it was noted that our teams and by extention our players and technical bench officials have suffered since Fifa suspended the country from all football activities in February,” the statement read.
It added: “Our teams have lost several key sponsors and missed the value of playing in Fifa recognised leagues and competitions. To that effect, we have unanimously resorted that we will not be taking part in any competition that is not recognised by the world football governing body Fifa because it is only by playing in a Fifa sanctioned league that our players, teams and the country at large will benefit.”
Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier said they are aware that the mandate of the Transition Committee was about to end, hence the idea of embracing a different entity in the season and which will have the blessing of Fifa.
“What we are just waiting for is for the directive by the government on the way forward. We do not want to be plunged into politics on the authenticity of the league,” said Rachier.
He added: “We are just waiting to see how the game will be governed but what is definite is that we shall only play in a league which will be acceptable by the world body.”
Mathare United’s Bob Munro said: “Our top clubs wasted nearly 11 months and spent an average of over Sh 50 million each, playing what I would call friendly matches in a poorly managed league which is not recognised by Fifa. Moreover, for nearly half of our top clubs which aren’t owned or sponsored by government agencies, it’s now really difficult to attract new club sposnors while playing in an unsanctioned league.”
Kariobangi Sharks chairman Robert Maoga shared similar centiments, saying enough was enough and vowed to steer his club to the right direction by restricting themselves to Fifa sanctioned leagues.
Sofapaka president Elly Kalekwa told People Sport that: “I can no longer spend millions of shillings for my team to play in a league that is not recognised by Fifa, that is like seeing all your effort going down the drain. We will only take part in a league that is sanctioned by the global body.”
Tusker FC chairman Daniel Aduda said he was not consulted about the joint statement, but said the team was waiting for a government directive on the way forward in regards to the sport.
“As Tusker we will go by the direction the new government or rather the new Sports Cabinet Secretary would give. We are tied towards following government directives,” Aduda told People Sport.
Fifa suspended Kenya from all football activities in February this due to waht it termed as government interference after Cabinet Secretary Amina mohamed disbanded the federation and appointed a Caretaker Committee to oversee the running of the sport for six months. After the six months elapsed, the out going CS appointed a Transition Committee to continue with the mandate of running the sport, despite lacking the blessings of Fifa.
