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Kenya football league likely to have parallel competitions

Xinhua, January 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

Kenya football might have two leagues after talks stalled on Wednesday between the country's soccer governing body, Football Kenya Federation (FKF), and league organizers Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

Back in 2008, Kenya had two leagues running parallel owing to leadership wrangles. A similar scenario might arise again as FKF, which was not involved in the formation of the KPL demanded to audit their accounts and use of sponsorship from SuperSport.

KPL is rooting for a 16-team league but FKF has vouched for 18-team league format. Sponsor Supersport wanted FKF to foot the bill for the two extra teams.

KPL declined and this prompted FKF to seek an alternative sponsor to the league, which, under world governing body FIFA rules, is expected to have the league company as a subsidiary of the national governing body, in this case FKF.

"It is with great dismay and great disappointment that Football Kenya Federation reports the collapse of talks between us and Kenyan Premier League Limited over the expansion of the Premier League from this year," said FKF President Sam Nyamweya. "It is unfortunate that KPL have gone ahead and issued media reports to the effect that they have no interest in engaging in dialogue over this matter."

This has prompted FKF National Executive Committee order that the premier league shall henceforth be known as the Football Kenya Premier League, comprising 18 teams from this season, starting in February and run by participating clubs.

"FKF has a sponsor for their league, guaranteeing each participating club 100,000 U.S. dollars as annual grant. Our league shall be the only officially recognized by both Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA," said Nyamweya.

This means that only teams in FKF league will be allowed to compete in international competitions.

Nyamweya said FKF Premier League will kick off on Feb.14, and he will present the decisions to their Special General Meeting for ratification on Jan. 30. Endi