Counties in the western region have been urged to implement the Sports Act, as it is the only ultimate solution to the growth of football in the region, which is full of talents.
Speaking after the training of over 20 clubs from Busia County on the adoption of the FIFA Connect system at Busia Polytechnic by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), Vihiga County Chairman Kelvin Mwangu appealed to counties in the region to have Sports Acts in place to save clubs from financial constraints facing them.
“Let us emulate Vihiga County on this. Since 2022, when the Sports Act came into place, football teams participating in Division One and above have received funding from the county government; this has boosted the morale of teams in lower cadres to reach that level,” said Mwangu.
He called upon the County Governments and County Assemblies to ensure the act was in place to help teams that are participating in various cadres of leagues.
“With the Sports Act in place, the level of competition among the teams has increased. Teams will know that when they reach certain levels they will receive financial support from the county government,” said Mwangu, adding that the Act will also benefit other disciplines.
The Vihiga FKF boss said financial constraints had seen many teams fail to honour matches. “That is why we try to advise donors to come and support our teams. If we have stability in finances, then running football becomes easy.”
FKF Busia Branch chairman Hillary Musundi said the delay by the Department of Sports to have the Sports Act in place has made the running of sports a nightmare, with many clubs failing to honour their matches owing to financial challenges.
With the county league ready to kick off on October 21, 2023, Musundi said he will arrange a meeting with the county leadership to table clubs’ grievances on the challenges facing them on matters of finances.
“We need concerted efforts to have the Act in place within the shortest time possible to remove the financial burden on clubs,” the chairman said, adding that Vihiga clubs are enjoying the benefits of having a Sports Act in place.
The chairman said they are aware of the financial woes facing clubs participating in the county league, noting that they have waived some fees to enable many clubs to feature in the league.
Musundi said the FIFA Connect digital system, whose online registration closes on September 22, is good for clubs, noting that nobody will poach their players without negotiations.
Mwangu, the instructor, said the FIFA Connect training will enable clubs to become compliant by registering their players electronically instead of the old manual system that was laborious and time-wasting.
“The system is good and can track all the players if they are in FIFA Connect. I am happy Busia clubs are willing to embrace the system owing to the huge turnout,” he said.
Mwangu said the system started in 2019 with the registration of Kenya Premier League and National Super League clubs.
In a circular this year (2023), the federation mandated all clubs participating in the branch leagues to adopt the digital system, while sub-branches will follow suit in 2024.
By Absalom Namwalo
