FKF upbeat over league return as behind-the-scene talks continue

Football Kenya Federation is projecting that the top-tier league could resume next month.

FKF CEO Barry Otieno says they have been in behind-the-scenes talks with the Government, and is crossing his fingers that the Ministry of Sports can okay the resumption to enable local players sharpen their skills ahead of World Cup and African Women Cup of Nations qualifiers for Harambee Stars and Harambee Starlets respectively.

“Although we do not have a definite date of when we will resume, we are still in talks with the government to have them allow us back.

Preferably we are hoping for a before end of May reason being that we have both World Cup and AWCON (Africa Women Cup of Nations) qualifiers in June for Harambee Stars and Harambee Starlets,” Otieno said, adding that, “These players if they stay away from sports for long then it will affect their fitness. If you look at our World Cup qualification group, we (Kenya) stand a good chance to qualify,” Otieno added.

Athletes and officials from top-tier sports disciplines recently received the first round of Covid- 19 jab, seen as a first sign of possible return to action, and the federation chief adds that they are keen to have the sports and health ministries agree to a return to action, under strict protocols.

“We will understand that we are dealing with two ministries; the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Health but we are very optimistic especially now that we have already vaccinated our players and hopefully June 5th we will get the second jab so that we resume under strict Covid-19 protocols.”

He went on : “We have no problem even if we resume without fans because countries like Rwanda, Uganda, and Mali who are our opponents in the World Cup qualifiers, are going on with sports and this should be a concern for us.”

President Uhuru Kenyatta suspended sporting activities indefinitely for the second time in March, due to the rising Covid-19 cases, but stakeholders have upped the pressure for a review of the ban.