•Ensuring the salaries of national team coaches are paid in full and on schedule is essential to success.
•Two of the team's former coaches, Bobby Williamson and Adel Amrouche, filed a Sh245 million lawsuit against FKF in May 2016, which worried the team.
Image: Hand out
It's depressing to hear that Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has not received any salary for the last nine months.
Such a deficiency in compensation is unreasonable and unjustifiable. It not only affects Firat’s financial stability but also undermines the professional relationship and trust between him and his employer.
Firat has devoted himself to leading Harambee Stars to success and worked countless hours to mould a winning outfit.
Under his leadership, the team has experienced success, thanks to his skills and commitment. Pay is a major factor in employee motivation and well-being, particularly for those devoted to their jobs.
We must take immediate action to address and resolve this issue. A vital component of employment is compensation, so it is just intolerable to withhold payment for a full nine months.
The team’s overall morale and motivation are impacted in addition to his well-being.
A speedy resolution to this issue is vital for both Firat and Harambee Stars. All parties must work together to find a quick solution and ensure Firat gets paid for his efforts.
In addition to harming Firat’s career, failing to resolve this issue will have a significant negative impact on the standing of the national team and the country as a whole.
Ensuring the salaries of national team coaches are paid in full and on schedule is essential to success.
Kenya has long struggled with the issue of unpaid coaches. Two of the team’s former coaches, Bobby Williamson and Adel Amrouche, filed a Sh245 million lawsuit against FKF in May 2016.
Belgian Amrouche was seeking Sh130 million in compensation, equal to the remaining amount of his five-year contract that was supposed to run until 2019, after he was fired in August 2014.
Williamson, who managed Harambee Stars for 16 months, was seeking Shh105 million in compensation for his unlawful dismissal.
Sebastien Migne, a Frenchman, threatened to report FKF to FIFA in 2020 over outstanding dues. Migne was sacked after Harambee Stars’ elimination from the 2020 African Nations Championship.
There is no doubt this presents significant issues that require immediate attention.
It is high time authorities implemented effective policies to guarantee national team coaches’ salaries are paid on time. If this is not done, it could negatively impact coaches and the national team’s capacity to practice and perform.
Players look up to their coaches as leaders, mentors, and role models. Their professional integrity is compromised when their salaries are not paid on schedule, in addition to being disrespectful of their diligence and hard work.
The focus, motivation and ability to build a connection with their players can all suffer when coaches worry about their financial security.
Stress levels can rise, job satisfaction can drop, and team performance can eventually suffer as a result.
The timely payment of national team coaches’ salaries is crucial for drawing in and keeping elite talent. Coaches who are regularly paid late might look for more secure jobs, which would mean a loss of knowledgeable and talented coaches.
Consequently, this may impede the progress and prosperity of the national team.
Plans for paying national team coaches should be made clear and open. This should contain dates on which salaries are anticipated as well as frequent updates on the status of payments.
The government should set aside enough money and ensure regular oversight and strict adherence to budgetary restrictions to avoid any problems or delays.