Football
Kenyan Clubs Up in Arms Following Introduction of New Club Licensing Requirements
Football Kenya Federation Premier League clubs are up in the arms following the introduction of stringent licensing requirements ahead of the 2024-2025 season. Clubs are expected to meet certain thresholds to be cleared to participate in the top-tier competition.
The National Super League and the Women's Premier League clubs haven't been spared either.
Among the demands clubs plying trade in the men's top tier should meet is having a head coach who has a CAF A coaching badge or an equivalent. Such an individual must be deputized by a holder of a CAF B coaching license or an equivalent in the new season.
This is a departure from the past, where top-tier clubs were mandated to have coaches with CAF B badges or an equivalent.
The fact that the directive was communicated to clubs in July means the eighteen outfits are racing against time to beat the deadline and, most importantly, be compliant.
The decision to stipulate a new requirement for coaches, however, appears to irk a good number of clubs who are requesting a review and time to organize themselves as the process requires additional funds.
Homeboyz Frowns at New Licensing Requirements
Kakamega Homeboyz is among the clubs that didn't embrace the new licensing regulations with open arms.
Club team manager Boniface Imbenzi argues that the directive will lead to job losses and teams will incur costs in their bids to be compliant.
"We do not have a problem with complying with club licensing requirements since it comes from CAF. However, our question is: What happens to the coaches who were on contract, yet they didn't have the CAF A license? You can't fire them without attracting court cases," Imbenzi told SportsBoom.com.
Imbenzi said hiring and sustaining two coaches with the highest badges in a single club was expensive in a league that is struggling to stabilize after years without commercial partners.
CAF A and B coaches are very expensive. The federation ought to have considered this before passing the regulations to clubs. Not all clubs have shirt sponsors, and much as we appreciate the grants, we receive from the league body, they are not enough," added Imbenzi, who advocated for gradual implementation of the licensing requirements.
Clubs Need More Time
Nairobi City Stars assert that time is limited to tick all licensing boxes right, and therefore an extension of the deadline will be much welcome.
Club Chief Executive Officer Patrick Korir confirmed that clubs had petitioned the federation to relook into the licensing issue and create room for progressive implementation rather than wholesome.
"The new regulations were brought to us in July, and for sure, time is not sufficient to meet all requirements before the start of the new season. We have collectively asked the federation to extend the deadline and implement the licensing rules in phases," said Korir.
Commenting on the issue of coaches producing the second top badge on the continent, Korir regretted that the directive came when the club had already rolled out plans for the new season with Nicholas Muyoti, a CAF B trainer.
Some of us had long-term plans with our coaches. Some had lengthy contracts and demoting them, or termination will come with its legal consequences,
lamented Korir
Communicate Early and be Patient with Clubs
Mara Sugar technical director Boniface Ambani was at pains to understand the rush by the federation to implement the licensing rules.
The former Kenyan international faulted the federation for failing to communicate on time and factor in the financial muscles of clubs before making the decision.
“We were promoted just the other day, and clearly, we don't have time to advertise for coaching jobs at our clubs, interview applicants, and hire the best. They should have told us this way back so as to prepare adequately. I personally like the provisions of the licensing requirements, but we can't implement them all at once," said the former striker.
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