As Kenya continues to grapple with the surge in COVID-19 cases countrywide, it is normal for one to expect the government through its agencies to step up the demand for the observance of its set health protocols by residents as well as sectors viewed as potential super-spreaders of the virus.
Similarly, it is considered good practice for any organization, as well as its partners operating in these times not to consciously and selfishly countenance illegalities with glaring health risks at such a time in the world.
Is it safe yet to crown what is happening in Kenyan football today as a heartless demand by FKF sponsors for visibility at all costs?
In early May, the Ministry of Sports Culture and Heritage in joint consultation with their counterparts from the Health Ministry allowed the resumption of contact sports. The local football league was among the sports given the green light, but it was on condition that they observed strict containment measures.
I celebrated the news, perhaps more than the competing sides, because as a local fan I had been at the forefront of demanding the resumption of the Kenyan Premier League before the announcement. I was keen on the need to save jobs, safeguarding the right to play, and accord our national team selectors the opportunity to continue monitoring players’ progress ahead of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Most importantly though, I welcomed the news because it came bearing what I had stood for since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic, operating under high standards of precautionary measures to ensure we continue keeping a lid on the virus.
G.O.K STRICT GUIDELINES
The Drafters of the resumption of sports guidelines issued on May 12, by the government of Kenya, were specific to a fault, I guess it was meant to avoid any form of confusion later – They only allowed the resumption of Tier One Leagues and national teams preparing for major competitions – According to the FKF Rules and Regulations Governing Football, the “Top Tier League” is defined as the FKF – Premier League or any of its top-most league as defined in the FKF constitution.
The above being the official communique from the central government, through the Ministries of Sports and that of Health, backed up by the legal definition of what was vetoed to resume (the Tier One League) as per the FKF Regulations, prepares the podium from which thorny questions like the one I’m about to ask emanate; Who sanctioned the competitions currently being staged all over the country by the FKF in collaboration with her commercial and broadcast partners; Betking, Odibets, Betika, Startimes, and Betways?
Could this be a case of profits at all costs? Simply put; is the FKF under pressure from her partners above to service contracts regardless of the health risk its competitions pose on players and the Kenyan public in general?
Other than the Betking Premier League (Kenya’s men’s tier-one league), several rounds of the Betika National Super League, The Betking National Div 1, the Odibet grassroots football competitions and the Betway Cup have so far been played – not only have they been staged illegally but also without strict adherence to set national COVID-19 mitigation protocols.
I have issues with the above happenings, considering all attempts at mitigating against the virus, such as testing and securing of venues to manage crowds have been directed towards clubs competing in the FKF – Premier League alone but the grassroots – The above exercise (testing and inoculation of players and staff), counts for nothing for as long as it is not conducted as regularly as prescribed FIFA and experts, as well as if Tusker can still play against Equity, Gor against Mara FC, and AFC Leopards against Bungoma Superstars, all non-FKF-Premier League clubs.
FKF – PL COVID TESTING
It, therefore, suffices to say that there are no efforts by the football organizers in Kenya to help complement the government and its medical expert’s efforts to detect, contact-trace and treat cases of the corona disease amongst its competing teams – Is because since the resumption of the top tier league in Mid May, FKF Premier League players and the various support staff have only been tested for COVID-19 once – while match officials have never been part of the past two exercises since the league started- All these are despite the world soccer governing body (FIFA) clearly stating in its guidelines on resumption of football; that human physical and mental health is of great importance.
FIFA says, and I quote; “…Football should only occur at a time when all health, social and economic benefits exceed the risks of COVID-19 while maximizing the safety of athletes, staff, supporters and the wider society.”
FIFA GUIDELINES
It is of paramount importance to learn that FIFA considers footballing activities as secondary to the health of every individual globally and that that is what should underpin any decisions made concerning resuming the game of soccer anywhere in the world – But back in Kenya, the air of recklessness and permissiveness hangs precariously. The league organizers allow far too many unauthorized persons in and around the match venues. A good example is the Gor Mahia Vs Wazito FKF-PL match played at the Utalii Grounds before the mini-break that ushered in the illegal Betway Cup competitions.
In the above match, Kariobangi Sharks players (The President’s team) were in attendance throughout the 90-minutes, a move none of the other league competitors can pull, for they’d be turned away citing set “health protocols” as a reason for barring them from ‘studying’ their future opponents.
RECKLESS LEADERSHIP
As though that was not enough, the FKF president, the Secretary-General, and their entourage at the Gor Mahia Vs Wazito match proved, through their actions, that they care less about inspiring the COVID-19 mitigation efforts, despite their stature in the local game’s management. He (Nick Mwendwa) was spotted throughout the match neither wearing a mask nor observing social distancing to help prevent possible chances of person-to-person contact and transmission, they sat freely and in close proximity of each other, contrary to the issued health protocols.
It is unfair of the Government and the national football federation to demand of its citizens and fans observance of rule of law, which they are violating with great abandon.
Now that this has been running for a while, since the resumption of contact sports, but nobody from the government has intervened to see it stopped, on whose “Financial Drip” are the concerned Ministry of Sports officials?
Dear BetKing, Betika, Betway, and Odibets, must you be visible despite the health concerns?
