Things could soon look up for football clubs in Nairobi listed with FKF if a motion before the city assembly is enacted.
The motion requires City Hall to fund their annual subscription with the federation.
It says the city has many football outfits with spirited members and supporters but are financially challenged to explore their potential.
By the Governor Johnson Sakaja administration supporting the teams, it could empower the youths with passion for sport and enable them explore their talents and make a living, contributing to economy.
Motion sponsor Mark Mugambi says he is “disturbed that many grassroots football teams in Nairobi struggle to meet the financial obligations required for registration in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) league and yet football plays an important role in society in promoting unity, health and talent development in our communities including creation of employment for the youth.”
The motion draws strength from section 10 and 11 of the Nairobi City County Sports Management Act, 2017 that provides for guidelines on financial support for sports initiatives and facilities in Nairobi county.
It says the facilitation of groups by the City Hall through footing of the “annual registration fees by the Nairobi County Executive would significantly boost the development of local football, empower youth and promote sports as a tool for development.”
Footing the bill for the clubs would also “strengthen partnership between Nairobi county and sports organisations and enhance the reputation of Nairobi as a hub for sports excellence,” it said.
Governor Sakaja has repeatedly vowed to support sport talent development in the city by investing in their training facilities and supporting football academies.
When Highway Secondary School won the national high schools’ football tourney, he met them in August this year, vowing to support honing of talents.
Clubs have been struggling to remain a float, pay players and meet obligations like security venues for their training and games.
For example, they pay Sh20,000 to secure low profile stadiums and Sh35,000 for venues like Kasarani.
According sport analyst, James Waweru, except for AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia that have fanatical following hence get sizeable revenue during their matches and subscription, smaller clubs cannot make headway without support from government agencies and politicians.
“That is why this motion, if approved and acted on by the local administration, it will go far in shoring up fortunes for these clubs. Sport is a viable economy that should be invested on,” he said.
“Listing with FKF is a big deal because it gives them the platform to seek corporate sponsorship and compete.”
