National Super League clubs yesterday received a Sh2 million boost from Extreme Sport.
Extreme Sports CEO Hussein Mohammed, however, said his gesture merely scratches the surface of the collaborative endeavours envisioned to unleash the NSL’s potential.
He called for transparency and accountability within the Football Kenya Federation. Mohammed said lack of marketing and sponsorship was stifling the growth of NSL clubs
“The NSL is valuable sporting real estate yet this is a league with no marketing, sponsorship, or broadcast deals,” he noted.
“Clubs in the NSL should not be struggling, but they are. Sponsors have lost confidence in the game with many citing lack of transparency and accountability at the national federation.”
Mohammed was speaking when he convened a meeting with the NSL clubs to chart the way forward. The consultative gathering was part of Extreme Sports’ 20th Anniversary celebrations.
“The NSL is one of the biggest outlets for grassroots football and we believe its potential is immense. It is a league with an extremely high level of talent and a platform for youngsters to grow in the game,” he said.
Mohammed lamented the league’s underutilised potential, attributing this to a lack of visionary leadership.
“Sadly, all of these wonderful qualities in the NSL are going to waste due to poor leadership at the national body,” he stated.
Mohammed underscored the importance of a concerted effort to fortify the NSL and lower divisions, which are crucial for the sustained success of top-tier teams in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and national squads.
“As an organisation built on grassroots football, Extreme Sports sees great potential in the second tier and the lower structure of our football pyramid,” Mohammed said.
