The ongoing Kenyan Premier League management crisis threatens to drive all community clubs to extinction, Mathare United honcho Bob Munro has warned.
In an exclusive interview on Monday, Munro lashed out at the Ministry of Sports for blatantly turning a blind eye to the plight of local clubs in the damning wake of grave financial adversities.
Munro said the situation at his own club was currently unmanageable and called on well-wishers to find ways of rescuing the Slum Boys from going down after years of excellence in top-flight football.
While commending the decision of the Football Kenya Federation Caretaker Committee to disburse funds to clubs, Munro nonetheless described the gesture as too little, too late.
“The last six months have been hectic for us and the situation was made worse by the outbreak of Covid-19,” Munro said.
“The support from the FKF Caretaker Committee hasn't been enough. We have received Sh600, 000 in two batches but it's a drop in the ocean compared to the expenses the clubs incur.
“It takes roughly Sh350,000 for a KPL team to honour an away match yet so far we have played more than 20 matches,” Munro said.
After battling tooth and nail to evade relegation in the preceding season, the Slum Boys have run into a nightmare this year as a torrid run in their fixtures thus far leaves them dangling precariously on the precipice of relegation.
However, FKF Caretaker Committee head of secretariat Linda Ogutu has appealed for calm, reiterating the government's desire to find a lasting solution to the existing crisis.
“The top-flight clubs need to be considerate, at least they've received something. We sat down at a meeting with key stakeholders and agreed that KPL clubs would pocket Sh300, 000 as NSL clubs receive Sh250, 000 each.
“So far, we have disbursed Sh600,000 in two batches and it's only fair for the clubs to appreciate our efforts without complaining much,” Ogutu said.
“It's the Division One clubs that should be complaining because they haven't received even a single penny. But we are planning to disburse some funds to the clubs although I'm not in a position to reveal the exact amount at the moment,” said Ogutu.
She said the Committee had already submitted a draft constitution to Sports CS Amina Mohamed for consideration.
“You do recall Sports CS Amina Mohamed confirming she has already received a draft constitution and her ministry is studying it for prompt action.
“We have already done our part and the final decision now lies with the government,” Ogutu said.
