Kenyan Premier League (KPL) clubs have resolved not to take part in the 2022/23 season if it will not be sanctioned by world football governing body, Fifa.
In a joint meeting held on Wednesday morning involving 12 CEO’s from KPL top clubs, the clubs chiefs said they are not ready to take part in the Football Kenya Federation Transition Committee organized league citing squandering of resources.
Speaking after the meeting held at a Nairobi hotel, Gor Mahia Acting CEO Raymond Oruo, who read the joint statement from the 18 top flight clubs, said that the move will benefit all interested parties.
“As one voice we have resolved that no team will participate in a competition which is not sanctioned by the world governing body FIFA. The only league we are ready to take part in is the one which has been properly arranged and which will be recognized by FIFA in that the winners will have chance to play in CAF tournament.
“The move is not for Gor alone but all 18 clubs and it’s a good move because that’s the only way our teams and players are going to benefit.”
Nairobi City Stars CEO Patrick Korir hailed the statement adding that they have had a very long pre-season without knowing the exact date when the league will start.
“To me, this is a very vital move by all the participating teams because we don’t want to participate in friendly matches for the name of a league; we want a league which is recognized by FIFA. We are not backing up any federation between FKF under Nick Mwendwa or the current transition committee, our stand remains the same that we want to play in a league which is proper planned and with good and clear structures which is recognized by FIFA.
“The confusion which has been between the two entities has really disrupted our preseason. We have heard a very long preseason and that’s why I am insisting that we will only take part in a recognized league so as to avoid such confusions in future,” said Korir.
The call by the KPL clubs comes only a day after embattled former FKF President Nick Mwendwa announced that the new season will kick off in a month’s time.
Mwendwa however, promised to write to Fifa for the suspension imposed on the country on February 24 by the world governing (Fifa) body to be lifted.
By Fred Odanga Azelwa.