Coaches back proposed changes in Premier League calendar
The proposal to change the Kenyan Premier League calendar to align itself with the European model has received overwhelming backing from a number of top local coaches.
On Tuesday Kenyan football administrators and Kenyan Premier League’s Joint Executive Committee made the proposal that, if adopted, will see Kenya’s league run concurrently with the top European leagues beginning August 2015.
Former Harambee Stars coach and Sony Sugar tactician Zedekiah “Zico” Otieno was among those who welcomed the proposal.
“It is an idea we have previously floated as members of elite Kenya Coaches Association and we support it. Some international tournaments usually start at the beginning of the year just around the same time when our league begins.
The wrong timing finds our players still out of shape,” Otieno (pictured) said. KCB coach Rishadi Shedu and Gor Mahia’s secretary general Chris Omondi also supported the proposal.
“As a club we haven’t discussed the proposal but at a personal level, I fully support it. In the past our club has lost players to overseas teams at crucial stages of the league because of non-conformity to football calendar in other parts of the world,” Omondi said.
CAUTIOUS APPROACH
“I am however of the idea that we should have the Top Eight tournament played between January and June in a format similar to the South African model as we buy time for the season proper to commence in August,” he added.
Shedu too called for the introduction of zoning in the first implementation phase between January and June to cushion the players from possible burn out. SuperSport East Africa General Manager Auka Gecheo urged for a cautious approach to the matter.
“This is something we have to look at more keenly. Why, for instance, do we want to change our calendar. What will we achieve and how will it affect the league? We also need to ask ourselves if the KPL brand is strong enough to complete with the major league,” Gecheo said.
Cecafa secretary general Nicholas Musonye said it would be prudent to have the same calendar in the region.
