By Fredrick Nadulli,
The country shall have to wait with bated breath to see its beloved sport back on the pitch. As it stands, the action is currently in the corridors of justice, well beyond the legal jurisdiction of the masses. That the sport can blatantly be dragged to court underlines just how far people are prepared to go to satisfy their whims, irrespective of the collateral damage that comes with their actions.
The ripple effects will definitely shake every corner of this country and define the future of the game, if there is any in the first place.
A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE
That it took players, the main protagonists in this horror flick, to come out in uniform solidarity and express their displeasure, just goes to show how low we have sunk as a society. Our priorities are clearly lopsided. This group bear the greatest brunt of this disgraceful war, yet they are the biggest actors, without whom there would be no action to start with.
True, the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) may be forced to cede some ground and allow their opponents in if push comes to shove and they are arm-twisted to co-exist, but like the proverbial camel, once their heads are inside, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) will ignominiously seek to take over the whole house. KPL do not trust FKF one bit, perhaps rightly so.
This being an election year, FIFA dare not mess with the FKF. That Kenyan vote is priceless in congress. That perhaps explains why FKF have been acting so brazenly, with a rare bravado that borders on sheer arrogance. Their actions have angered the world body no doubt, but current circumstances compel big brother to look the other way.
The Sports ministry, the alternative arbiter to FIFA, has a very loud bark but no bite to complete the equation. Its as harmless as a circus lion. It behaves as the ‘strict’ referee who wants to officiate a rain-swept match without getting wet and/or muddy. The minister would rather arbitrate from the cover and safety of the stands, far from where the real duel is. Perfect epitome of feet of clay.
FINGERS CROSSED
Admittedly, by the time the smoke clears and this issue of football management done and dusted, a sizeable number of people will be nursing bloody noses. Court cases and sport are a no no, incompatible. While the gloves are off on a higher platform, down below it is players who are feeling the heat, but being forced to stay in the kitchen.
As the old adage goes, laws are like cobwebs which may catch small flies but let wasps and hornets break through.
You and I know who the hornets here are.