Football federation charts way forward

FKF Chairman Sam Nyamweya, centre, address journalists as he is flanked by FKF Vice Chairman Robert Asembo, left, and Mohamed Omar FKF NEC Member during a meeting in Nairobi. They annonced that the Kenya Premiere League, KPL, will be rebranded to FKF Premiere League. 2nd November, 2014. Photo/Jonah Onyango.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) made far reaching resolutions at a special meeting held on Friday in Kakamega. The delegates’ meeting approved the federation’s idea to start an 18-team FKF Premier League this season.

In a statement to the media, FKF vice chairman Robert Asembo confirmed that each KPL club will receive a Sh9million grant after FKF entered into partnership with a new TV broadcast partner. The meeting also approved the formation of a seven-tier league structure with the FKF Premier League at the apex. Below the FKF Premier League, will be National Super League, then the Division One. There will also be regional mini leagues, county leagues, sub-county and ward leagues.

“The federation will have the two youth leagues, Copa Coca-Cola for Under-15 and National Under-17 championship. The federation will form a league management board to run all these competitions,” said Asembo.

In regard to claims that last year’s nationwide league was run unprofessionally, the delegates said that was not the case, and insisted that levels of professionalism have gone higher.

“As provided for by Articles 78 and 79 of the FKF Constitution, as well as Articles 78 and 79 of FIFA Statutes, FKF owns all rights, and is exclusively responsible for their distribution and/or dissemination. FKF has with immediate effect withdrawn all such rights from KPL,” he said.

The meeting further approved the decision to change the season's calendar to run from August to May from next year. Regarding sponsorship, the federation’s top organ was told that FKF has acquired sponsorship that will cover Pay-TV, free to air, mobile phone, radio broadcast as well as leverage on the digital migration.