By Fredrick Nadulli aka Razor,

World football governing body FIFA has pledged huge bonuses to member associations and confederations for development of the sport.This is besides the usual grants that are disbursed for various projects aimed at improving football at every level.

The Football Kenya Federation will earn bonuses amounting to USD 750,000(ksh.65,000,000)as part of the pledge.Member confederations will meanwhile get USD 7,500,000.

Speaking at the 64th FIFA congress in Sao Paulo ahead of the World cup,FIFA president Sepp Blatter called for integrity and sustainable development if progress was to be achieved.He said the organisation must move forward in a changing world in which football has become a multi billion industry with powerful opportunities.

“Our world is changing,our game is changing,our organisation must also change.It is our duty to keep football going forward”,Blatter told delegates gathered in Sao Paulo.

KENYA WINDFALL

For member associations like the FKF which runs the Kenyan game,the news could not have come at a better time.The secretariat,often times mired in financial mismanagement and non-accountability,has struggled
to attract sponsors for its various national teams.

Only recently,they pulled the u-17 side out of a CAF organised tournament,thereby giving South Sudan a bye into the next round.That in essence means no youth football anytime soon.Women football is nothing to write home about.

The issue of financial impropriety that affects the Harambee Stars’ preparations time and again is now a stale subject for discussion in local football circles.Where does this money end,many a Kenyan will ask.

GOVERNMENT HELP vis-a-vis SELF SUSTAINABILITY

With such amounts plus the usual grants,the FKF can no doubt sustain itself and run its operations with little or no hiccups.Corporates are only too eager to chip in where accountability is snow-white.It defies logic for the federation to run to the government of the day forassistance every time they run into self-erected barriers.

FIFA disburses funds for youth development,women football and general development of the sport.When therefore Monsieur Blatter says football is a multi billion dollar industry that needs to self sustain,and that its imperative to keep the sport going forward,he means just that.

And he provides the platform.Sadly for our top honchos,its perfect time to dip their hands into the cookie jah and look the other way.Whether the game develops or stagnates is not important to them.What matters to them is which side of their bread is buttered.

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