Nairobi Star (Nairobi)
Muigai Kiguru
23 December 2011
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) have resolved to harmonise the national team Harambee Stars and KPL fixtures starting next season.
During a brainstorming meeting held yesterday, it was observed that the two bodies would work to compliment each other as opposed to the war of words witnessed during the Mohammed Hatimy-led Football Kenya Limited’s reign.
KPL and the national team fixtures have in the past brought acrimony between the two bodies with the former refusing to release players on time for national assignments due to a clash of fixtures. “We are going to appoint a committee to look into this matter before the commencement of activities next year,” said Nyamweya.
He called on all stakeholders to support the national team and termed Harambee Stars rise in the latest Fifa ranking as a huge achievement. Harambee Stars have risen 13 places from 130 in the Fifa rankings released on Wednesday.
Nyamweya added that several other committees will be formed before January 10, 2012 after consultations between the two bodies. “We are calling on Cecafa to be releasing their fixtures early just like Fifa and CAF does to avoid future national team inconveniences,” said Nyamweya.
Yesterday’s meeting was attended by six KPL chairmen led by outgoing Ulinzi Stars chairman Juma Mwinyikai, the incoming chairman of Tusker FC James Musyoki, Sony’s Christopher Odero, Mathare United’s Bob Munrho and KPL CEO Jack Oguda. FKF were led by chairman Sam Nyamweya, Robert Asembo, Hussein Terry, Doris Petra, Elly Mukolwe, Robin Toskin, George Wainaina as well as national team head coach Francis Kimanzi and technical director Patrick Naggi.
Nyamweya observed the meeting was historic as they have never had such a meeting for over a decade. “We are now going to have a re-union between FKF and KPL since the two have never worked together before,” said Nyamweya. “We want to be part of the history of rebuilding Kenyan soccer. We want to be people of actions and not words.”
Mwinyikai said there was need for the two to compliment each other rather than contradict. “We hope we are going to see the results of this meeting in the near future,” said Mwinyikai. “We have a duty to develop football and I want to assure Kenyans that we are going to work on what we have discussed here and enable them enjoy their football,” added Musyoki.
AllAfrica – All the Time