FKF reach out to SuperSport over KPL contract termination

Football Kenya Federation has reached out out to SuperSport in a last-ditch bid to have the South African pay TV rescind its decision to terminate the contract agreement signed with the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Limited.

The Multichoice-owned company bolted out as the KPL’s broadcast partners citing a breach of contract by the league’s management, who in turn shifted blame to the national federation as their simmering battles boiled over.

The move comes after the FKF hierarchy met both the KPL leadership in a Joint Executive Committee (JEC) meeting on Monday and a section of top club chairmen a day later.

“From the two meetings we have resolved that it is in our interest and that of Kenyan football to have SuperSport back on air,” FKF President Nick Mwendwa said.

“As such the federation has moved with speed to engage SuperSport in a bid to remedy the situation and have the company rescind its decision to terminate its contract with the KPL.

“We have further made it clear to SuperSport that despite being the institution duly recognized to oversee all footballing activities in the country, we have not only delegated the mandate to commercially organise the top tier League to the KPL limited until the year 2020 but are also willing to provide any warrants that might be required to demonstrate the same,” Mwendwa explained .

In addition, Mwendwa also pointed out that the two meetings had resolved that there was an urgent need to mend relations between the KPL and the FKF for the betterment of football.

“We have all agreed that the relationship between KPL and FKF has fallen short in the last one year and have decided to craft a new agreement that captures the correct position of both parties in order to mitigate against any possible fallout in the future.

“Further in the spirit of reconciliation FKF has decided to mute all charges that had been levied against three individuals from KPL, for bringing the game into disrepute,” Mwendwa added.

Earlier this year FKF had initiated judicial proceedings against Mathare United Chairman Bob Munro, Gor Mahia Chairman Ambrose Rachier and KPL CEO Jack Oguda for crippling progress in the country’s top flight.