Kenya’s senior soccer management faces an uncertain future as the deal expires

Kenya’s future management of top-level club football continues to be questioned following the expiration on Thursday of a contract between the country’s federation and the company that has managed its top flight since 2003.

The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Limited was established in October 2003 by top-level clubs following constant disputes between the administration that governs football and the eventual deterioration of the National Football League.

Each participating club that chose to leave the old first division decided to form a company affiliated with the federation that would see the proper functioning of the league in a professional and transparent manner.

In 2015, an agreement was drawn up between the Kenya Football Federation (FKF) and the KPL, giving the latter a legal mandate to run top-flight football in the country until September 24.

However, league administrators were unable to finish their final season as planned due to the pandemic.

FKF President Nick Mwendwa, seeking a new term during the October 17 national elections, has been adamant that KPL’s contract will not be renewed and that the top tier will be known as FKFPL from the 2020 season. -twenty-one.

Speaking to Xinhua in Nairobi on Thursday, KPL Chief Executive Jack Ogudasa said that the decision on the fate of KPL-Limited will be made by shareholders’ clubs after the election.

“The president recommended that I wait until the soccer elections are over so that the company can commit to the new president on a way forward before the members make a decision,” added the longtime CEO.

The start of the new season is also unclear after the government, through the Sports Ministry, announced last week that contact sport, including soccer, remains suspended due to COVID-19.

Clubs were allowed to begin training in small groups while observing social distancing and other protocols in place to combat the pandemic.

Some candidates, who oppose Mwendwa in the presidential elections, have vowed to renew KPL’s mandate to run the league if elected, but the most vocal former federation chief Sam Nyamweya withdrew from the polls citing irregularities.