By Lorraine Ruto,
Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards have been included in the Football Kenya Federation Premier league that kicked off ten days ago.
This comes after stakeholders from the two clubs pleaded with the Federation not to block them from the FKF organized league.
Gor assistant secretary Ronald Ngala said that all the club wanted was for a solution to the current situation to be found to allow for teams to continue playing football and for the footballers to fully concentrate on their game
“We do not know why only Gor and AFC have been included in the FKF PL among other teams. All we want as a club is for a solution to the current situation”said Ngala
Leopards secretary general George Aladwa also reiterated the need for a solution found so that the top tier league can run smoothly “As a club we want to play in the best possible environment where everything is predictable and not where uncertainty reigns” said Aladwa .
While addressing the 19 clubs who were represented in the meeting, FKF President Sam Nyanweya said it will be unfair tlockout the two soccer giants since they command massive following.’I have received hundred of calls from the two clubs diehard followers including former and current elders urging me not to block out their clubs.Idont want to disclose their names but i can assure you there is massive demand for the two clubs to be drafted in the League”Observed Nyamweya amid thunderous cheers.
Nyamweya confirmed that each club will receive one million through their accounts on Tuesday February 24.
‘The clubs ,added Nyanweya will receive one million shillings wired into their accounts by tomorrow(Tuesday).We have completed all the arrangements.We shall live to our promise for each club t0 get shs.9million after the season.”
Posta Rangers have signed an undertaking to take part in the today after reaching an MOU with FKF and its sponsors will start their campaign this term. In a surprise move,the FKF PL included giants Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards in the list of the now eighteen clusb who will kick off their new season this weekend
“Stakeholder of Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards have asked that their teams be included in our league which is the only one recognized by FIFA. Infact Gor are participating in the CAF champions league and have thus shown commitment to stay with the federation” said FKF chairman Sam Nyamweya
At the same time Posta Rangers have reaffirmed their commitment to participate in the FKF Premeir league by becoming in the first team to append their signature to the MOU between clubs and theFederation.
Rangers chairman John Tonui said that the favorable grant of nine million annually plus playing in a structured league recognised by FIFA was the motivation for them to take part n the FKF PL
“Initially we intended to take part in the KPL League but despite our promotion they showed unwillingness to take in four teams as recommend by the federation it is at this point and with the assurance of improved grant by the federation that we agreed to take part in the FKF PL”said Tonui whose star studded side were held to a goalless draw by Kakamega homeboyz over the past weekend.
