FKF urged to lift ban on Extreme Sports
Extreme Sports boss Hussein Mohammed (left) and Sportpesa CEO Ronald Karauri at a past event. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- FKF also suspended all officials of clubs participating in the ‘illegal leagues and tournaments’ for a period of six years.
- “Extreme has produced many talents that have gone on to shine in the national teams,” said the former Gor Mahia winger Mutiso, who was speaking at Riruta stadium during the Dagoreti South Super Cup final on Tuesday.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has been urged to lift its ban on Extreme Sports Limited to encourage more investment in the grassroots football.
Former Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (Kefwa) chairman Innocent Mutiso called on FKF to recognise leagues run by Extreme Sports namely the SportPesa Super 8 League and Super 8 tourney.
Extreme was banned in August 2016, barely six months after the current regime led by president Nick Mwendwa took office.
FKF also suspended all officials of clubs participating in the ‘illegal leagues and tournaments’ for a period of six years.
“Extreme has produced many talents that have gone on to shine in the national teams,” said the former Gor Mahia winger Mutiso, who was speaking at Riruta stadium during the Dagoreti South Super Cup final on Tuesday.
Genesis FC clinched the Cup, sponsored by area Member of Parliament John “KJ” Kiarie, after overcoming Shalom Yassets 3-2 on post-match penalties following a 2-2 draw in normal time in the hotly contested final.
They bagged Sh50,000 in prize money, while Shalom Yassets collected Sh30,000 for coming second.
“More players can be churned out of these tournaments if only FKF and Extreme work in unison,” he added.
His sentiments were echoed by Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria and his Makadara counterpart George Aladwa, who were also in attendance.
“We are building bridges at the national level and we are determined to take this initiative to our football as well,” Kuria, who rewarded the finalists with Sh10,000, said.
“I will personally walk along with Hussein (Mohammed) so we negotiate with FKF on how we can work as one entity.
“In partnership with Extreme, we shall organise a country wide inter county tournament to pacify the nation through sports, both the President (Uhuru Kenyatta) and Raila (Odinga) are in support of this idea,” added Kuria who is also the patron of SportPesa Premier League outfit Mount Kenya United.
Kuria added that they will push in parliament the recognition of Extreme so as to benefit from the National Sports Fund due to be operationalised.
“We want teams at the grassroots to benefit from these funds to continue nurturing talents,” he said.
Soccer Sisters beat Joy Love 2-1 in the only girls' category final taking home Sh30,000, while runners up pocketed Sh20,000.
Uthiru Vision beat Waithaka Sparks 1-0 to emerge third hence taking Sh20,000.
The one week tourney, comprising of 20 teams, was organised in five wards constituting Dagoretti South constituency.
