Former Football Kenya Federation president, Sam Nyamweya, has backed clubs’ complaints over fixtures congestion this season.
There has been a clogging of matches at the premier league and second tier level football as the federation moves to change the Kenyan football season calendar.
“Some teams have had to play three to four matches in a week, a case in point is Gor Mahia and the strain on the clubs is crazy, ” Nyamweya said after attending a football match at Mbaraki grounds over the weekend.
He argues that the FKF “should have staggered the change” over a period of 18 months so as to ease the pressure on clubs.
“We know how clubs are struggling financially and it gets worse when they have mobilise the money to honour three matches in a week.
“It was insensitive of the federation to have insisted that the season starts in December and ends in May.
“Officials are on the receiving end because raising the finances is not an easy task in this country, it is not a surprise that it is affecting payment of players salaries.”
According to Nyamweya, the season should have beend extended “up-to June or July” with the necessary break to allow for the Africa Cup of Nations. The 2019/20 would then commence at the end of August or early September.
“For the clubs, those extra five to six weeks allow them the breathing space for financial convenience.
“At the moment it is taking a heavy toll on clubs and we might be looking at an embarrassing situation where clubs could even fail to honour matches or even fold up.”
Nyamweya’s presence at Mbaraki grounds as Bandari crushed Chemelil Sugar has led to widespread speculation on the possibility of a return to football politics, with the elections due in 10 months.
“I have a right to be at any stadium because I love football so people have the right to speculate but I am not announcing anything.
“I understand the people are disappointed that the current administration has not delivered on its promise and I agree with that view but let’s wait and see what happens.”
He handed over the reins, in 2016, to Nick Mwendwa after serving his term single term as President having been elected in the all-inclusive elections of 2011.
His tour of the coast came just a day after he met former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at ODM leader’s Karen residence after which he met several top government officials, including Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi.
Nyamweya served as secretary general of the defunct Kenya Football Federation between 1996 and 2000 when factions emerged to mark the beginning of Kenyan football turmoil that lasted for more than a decade.
