Which way Kinoru? Lack of a vibrant home team has Meru on the edge

The construction of the Kinoru Stadium in Meru was supposed to be a game changer.

With the region perennially known for its lull as far as sports is concerned, the construction of the 20,000 seater capacity stadium was expected to change the status quo by inspiring youngsters to embrace sports particularly the beautiful game of football.

Fast forward, problems abound as there is no football team in the region that can compete in the national league – the Kenyan Premier League or the second tie competition – the National Super League.

So pronounced is the problem that the County Government of Meru is toying with several ideas including buying out Thika United and rebranding it as Meru United FC.

However, it seems the idea which was mooted by the County Secretary for Sports Daniel Kiogora has already run into headwinds with some opposing it, leaving the county gov’t in a catch-22-situation in its bid to have a ‘home team’ domiciled in the region.

According to Kiogora, the county government is not buying Thika United but its slot in the National Super League and once that is done, he argues players from the region will be recruited to play in team which will be known as Meru United FC.

”Our people should understand that we are buying the slot of Thika in the National Super League and not the club,”said Kiogora.

‘’We want our youths to fully benefit from Kinoru Stadium.  We won’t allow other youths from another counties to come and use our stadium,” Said one of the resident, underlining the general feeling among the masses that the stadium should benefit ‘their own’.

Kiogora however says that once the deal is done, the best players will be recruited from the region, and contracted by the county government to play for the team.