KPL Victory But Pertinent Issues Need Quick Address

As clubs get ready to get back on the pitch certain grey areas need clarification to help spur the growth of a league that has been an envy of many in the region. What is clear now is that we are braced for parallel leagues as a country. In the absence of dialogue I had argued in favor of parallel leagues initially for the sole reason that more players would get top level competition hence high stakes at the national team and most importantly more players drawing bigger salaries than there were.

Those who’ve been around long enough rubbished my view claiming it’s a déjà vu and that the early 2000s scenario saw many players going for months without pay and that matches were aborted for no show from financially handicapped clubs. But my talking point was that the two feuding football bodies, Kenya Premier League and Football Kenya Federation, all claim to have the financial muscle to run a league according to their standards. And that was my melting point. You have money? Then go ahead and have both leagues running!

However, now that I’m a few months older and definitely wiser, I realize money is good but it is not ultimately the sole raison d’être. Clubs need more than merely financial stability. The Kenya Premier League clubs have a reason to celebrate because of a stronger competition but what is the ultimate goal? The winner of this league is not destined for any continental participation as things stand. Kenya looks likely to be represented in Africa by a team from the FKF Premier League but not KPL.

So apart from the monetary value attached to the KPL trophy, that winner will only embark on preparation for a new season in defense of its title but not a continental ticket. Doesn’t this water down the beauty of victory?

The other more vital aspect of this KPL competition is the relegation debate. Now that the federation does not recognize the KPL, where do teams that get relegated from the league body go to? Or will we even have a relegation scenario. And who gets promoted?  From where? The other possibility is that teams participate in the KPL merely for a final day ranking without anyone fearing the threat of relegation.

And that is the biggest risk to a competitive league. This will brew the mother of all match fixing ever seen in this sport. Why would a team put in any tinge of effort to a game in September when it is already out of the title race? Bottom placed teams would not have any motivation to fight on. This is catastrophic!

Essentially, chest thumping will never help anyone. That is a life skill not taught in any school. Humility for the sake of the masses is not stupidity. The wrangling football bodies should take advantage of this court free window and come together, iron out impending issues and have the game rolling out in a manner we’d all want. For heaven’s sake, we are hosting CHAN very soon and it would present us the perfect opportunity to compete favorably in front of our fans. For the sake of our image, if there’s no other motivation, let’s talk to each other to harness the public enthusiasm for the love of our game.