In a surprising turn of events, Tusker FC, Gor Mahia, and Nzoia Sugar FC may end up feeling lighter in their wallets if any of them manage to clinch the prestigious Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) title. FKF president Nick Mwendwa recently revealed that the league’s finances took a hit due to Kenya’s FIFA ban, leaving no room for cash rewards for the champions. Talk about a bitter-sweet victory!
Unsurprisingly, this announcement sent shockwaves through the local football community, prompting a chorus of complaints from stakeholders who believe that the federation could have found creative ways to honor the league winners. Well, maybe they could offer them a lifetime supply of shoelaces or an all-expenses-paid trip to a football-themed amusement park if exposure might not be enough. Just a thought!
To put things into perspective, let’s take a peek at what some of Kenya’s neighboring countries offer their league champions. Brace yourselves, folks!
Over in Tanzania, Yanga, the recently crowned champions, strutted away with a jaw-dropping Tsh600m (that’s a whopping Ksh35.2 million!) for their title triumph. It turns out that Azam TV and National Bank of Commerce (NBC) have a soft spot for Tanzanian football. Azam generously poured in Tsh500m (Ksh29.3 million) into the prize kitty, while NBC sweetened the pot with Tsh100m (Ksh5.8 million). No wonder they’re dancing in Dar es Salaam!
Meanwhile, in Ethiopia, winners receive a cool 10.9 million birrs, which translates to a tidy sum of Ksh25.5 million. It seems SuperSport, the South African broadcaster, has an affinity for Ethiopian football. St. George, the reigning champions, raked in this impressive amount last season. If they clinch the title once again, they might as well rename their club “St. Moneymakers”!
Ah, Uganda, the land of modest rewards. Vipers, the champions, bagged a measly Ush60 million (or a humble Ksh2.2 million). Perhaps StarTimes TV, the league’s partner, was having a frugal day. Nevertheless, the amount has faced criticism, with even Vipers themselves admitting that it barely covers their monthly expenses. Looks like their dreams of a luxurious team yacht will have to wait!
Lastly, we journey to Somalia, a country that has faced its fair share of challenges. Gaadiidka FC and Horseed SC, the respective winners of the Somali Football League, scooped up a modest $9,926 (approximately Ksh1.37 million). While the prize might not be a jackpot, it still serves as a meaningful reward for these dedicated teams. Besides, every little bit counts, especially when you have financial constraints and only a handful of teams to compete against.
Fingers crossed for Kenyan football enthusiasts, though! Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba recently hinted at an upcoming “mega package” for the 2023-24 campaign. Let’s hope it involves more than just showering the winners with stacks of Monopoly money. After all, teams and players deserve a chance to celebrate their accomplishments with a little extra ka-ching in their pockets. Until then, let’s enjoy the suspense and hope for a brighter future for Kenyan football!
