Owano welcomes Sports Disputes Tribunal reinstatement of Migori Youth fixtures

Migori Youth assistant coach Sammy Owano has welcomed the move by the Sports Disputes Tribunal to have the embattled National Super League side reinstated into the league fixtures pending the hearing and determination of their appeal at the tribunal.

Last week, the Football Kenya Federation Leagues and Competitions Committee in an unexpected turn of events, suspended league matches involving the Migori County-based club after they moved to the tribunal to challenge the sanctions slapped on the club for hooliganism witnessed during their home game against Darajani Gogo early last month.

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The suspension had the club miss a round seven match-up against Naivas FC that could have steered them closer to the set season objectives.

Speaking exclusively to Mozart Sport, the long-serving member of Migori noted that the club was yet to receive official communication from the Football Kenya Federation on their reinstatement but remained positive about gracing the weekend games.

“We have seen the news but still waiting for communication if we are going to take part in this weekend's games, “offered the former Migori skipper.

Owano was also quick to welcome the decision from the Sports Disputes Tribunal noting that his charges had missed action and it was taking a toll on the majority of them as they only depend on match-winning allowances which were not coming when under suspension.

“We welcome the decision because our players had already started getting nervous and feeling demotivated. Remember here we only sustain them by offering match-winning allowances which is not possible when the team is not playing so it makes it tough for both the club and the players,” he added.

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He further pleaded with the football governing body in the country together with the club's top management to have the matter solved as soon as possible to give the coaches ample time to horn the skills in their arsenals.

“We got suspended when the team was winning and it really distracted our preparations. We hope everything gets resolved as soon as possible so that we can get ample time to prepare our players and get the season underway without many limitations, our peers are playing and too much fixture congestion can be harmful not only to players but also to the club’s season ambitions,” offered Owano.

Owano who has come through the team’s academy ranks as an under-12 graduate to the second in command, urged the club’s fans to be patient and support the team once they are allowed back to the stadium as they remain the main source of motivation for the border club.

“Our fans should just be patient and await their time, eventually they going to come back changed people. They know the club needs them even more. We will try to win all matches for them and hopefully after five games we will link with a much revamped and rejuvenated 12th supporters,” he concluded.

Next for Migori is atrip to Kenyatta Stadium for league game against the struggling Mully Children Family FC.