Plans are at an advanced stage to merge various groups representing interest of former players into one entity that will advocate for the welfare of all retired footballers in the country.
According to the five representatives of the three groups who met on Thursday at Nyayo national stadium, there’s need for inclusivity and strong representation in the body mandated to adress concerns of ex internationals.
Legends,KESPA,KEFWA to join hands and form one association to be incorporated into the FKF Constitution
Advanced plans are on to merge various groups representing former players into one entity that will advocate for the welfare of all retired footballers in the country pic.twitter.com/iE7JC8wM28
— FKFtransition (@FKFtransition) July 21, 2022
Led by Josephat ‘Controller’ Murila, arguably one of the country’s best-ever central defenders,the meeting also brought together representatives of Kenya Footballers Welfare Association( KEFWA), and Kenya Soccer Players Association( KESPA)
“It’s a brilliant idea Transition Committee calling us for this meeting.Ex-players form an integral part of the success of Kenyan football and we have decided to come together to speak one language of developing the sport locally.We can discharge many roles in different capacities and I’m sure good plans are in store for us.Wrangling that has existed amongst us will be something of the past as we’ll serve jointly for the good of the game” said Murila who was at AFC Leopards for 8 years, which he credits for his success.
Leagues and Competitions Chairman Ali Amour reiterated his commitment towards committee’s bid in empowering the former footballers whom he promised to incorporate their entity in yet to be validated FKF Constitution.
“These guys we are all seeing here have got much potential and we’ll work with them to help steering our game to another level.
Our ex Kenyan internationals did us proud back in the day and we want to reciprocate by introducing a system where they will be offered proper training which will convert them into match commissioners on good working terms” he said.
“Once they are match officials it will be their responsibility to oversee the technical organization of the game in compliance with the applicable laid down regulations.This will help them earn a living,and bring to an end cases of some of them suffering in abject poverty despite having much potential to deliver in various assignments” added Amour .
The association among other duties will be tasked with pushing for clubs to honour their contracts with players and to pay players on time unlike two seasons ago where a number of Kenyan Premier League (KPL) clubs were accused of failing to pay the players, some for up to seven months.
Others who attended Thursday meeting are Nairobi City Stars tactician and former Kenyan International Nicholas Muyoti,former Tusker FC player Harold Ndege,ex Harambee Stars and AFC Leopards defender George Sunguti and Edward Karanja popularly known as Fantastic Captain due to his heroic exploits at Tusker FC back in the day.
KEFWA was formed in September 2011 in response to a perceived need to defend the rights of professional football players who at times are treated unfairly by employers (football clubs).
