By Maxwell Wasike,

Amid growing tension between Football Kenya Federation and Kenya Premier League over the number of teams to participate in top flight scheduled for mid this month,Government has reiterated its earlier stand of supporting 16 league format.

The two bodies, KPL and FKF, have been feuding over the number of teams to take part in the top tier league with KPL vouching for 16 teams while FKF wanted an 18-team league.

Towards the end of last week,Football Kenya Federation softened its position in relation to the current controversy surrounding the Kenyan Premier League with the federation Chairman Sam Nyamweya saying they are seeking to resolve the current deadlock through dialogue and consultation.

But according to Commisioner for Sports Gordon Oluoch,determination of teams to be promoted and relagated should be decided immediately after the completion of the season and because that was not done,the previous format should remain in place as arrangements for an expanded league get underway.

’’As we speak Kenyan football needs a lot to be desired because of never ending wrankles between the two relevant stakeholders over clubs eligible to play in the upcoming KPL season but we remain optimistic that the situation will be solved soon though the Government position remains 16 league format.

We were not told earlier by the relevant stakeholders that they sought to expand the league and therefore let it remain like before until detailed consultations are done on importance of 18 league team.Fifa report must not be violated’’

Speaking exclusively to soka25east during the KIKO Cup finals at Woodley Grounds in Kibra yesterday,Oluoch warned errant federations to put their houses in order failure to which he would advise the ministry of Sports,Arts and Culture under Dr Hassan Wario to disband them.He hailed the level of talent exhibited during the 32^nd edition of the tournament saying such youth structures in slum and grassroot areas would raise the football standards and also revive the lost glory of sport in the Country.

’’I appreciate the organizers for putting in place this competition because it has enabled young people with massive talent to showcase what they are capable of doing best.We want more of this by both the individual and corporate sponsors’’

Olympic Football club lifted this season’s Kiko cup after beating Boma FC 6-5 on post match penalties. The final had ended in two all draw after normal time. Tusker FC forward Jesse Were netted the two goals for the champions with Daniel Muturi netting for the losers. Kibra MP Ken Okoth supported the organization of the tournament saying that the upcoming tournament should have all the teams from Nairobi, sentiments echoed by event organizer Noordin Taib.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com