Boost for clubs as Caretaker Committe releases grants

Clubs plying their trade in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL), the National Super League (NSL) and the Women's Premier League (WPL) can afford a smile after the caretaker committee released grants to aid in logistics.

The committee installed by Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Heritage Amina Mohamed in November undertook to avail Ksh 300,000 for top flight clubs and Ksh 250,000 for the second tier clubs last month.

The financial boost comes at a time when clubs across all leagues were up in arms after a month-long delay by the committee in meeting the promise they made in the series of meetings they have had with teams since taking over the running of the game.

The committee's head of competitions Ali Amour said that the teams will continue to receive support and encouraged them to fully embrace compliance and accountability. 

"We have disbursed funds to clubs from the three leagues in line with what we promised. We urge them to start walking the path to compliance with the sports act and be able to account for what they receive," he said.

Nzoia Sugar chairman Evance Kadenge while expressing gratitude to the committee acknowledged receipt of payments and urged them to continue supporting the game. 

" We are grateful to the caretaker committee for advancing us grants as promised. It comes at a time when we were in dire need of financial assistance. We pray that their support will not dry out as the company is not doing well at the moment," he confirmed. 

Last week, the committee came to the rescue of referees who reportedly had not received money for the opening six rounds of the season by wiring money into their accounts for round seven.

The committee promised to take care of the welfare of whistlers who man matches across all tiers after it emerged that teams from the lower tiers were forced to deep into their coffers and pay the officials.

Sources from the referee's circles revealed that officials who reside and oversee matches within Nairobi and Nakuru are paid Ksh 7,500 and get double amount when appointed for matches outside the two regions.

Similarly, referees outside Nairobi and Nakuru receive equal pay when they travel for matches played in the two regions. 

"We have began the process of giving referees what is rightfully theirs. We paid for a round and within a short time, we will clear the outstanding payments," he added.