Author: Bonface Osano

Kenyan footballers, like their counterparts from the rest of the world, have joined in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. Aside from using their social media influence to pass messages of prevention like washing hands, social distancing and staying at home, they have also contributed materially towards the war. Harambee Stars defender Eric “Marcello” Ouma who plys his trade in Sweden with AIK led the way by donating hand sanitizers to residents of sprawling Kibra slums in Nairobi. His skipper at Stars and former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama followed suit – distributing sanitizing kits, through his foundation, to Mathare slum…

As the clock ticks towards the April 6, meeting between FIFA, the Sports Ministry and members of the Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT), a number of Kenyan Premier League (KPL) clubs have expressed concern that a disagreement could lead to a ban on the country. The clubs want a quick resolution to the matter and have called for an obedience to the FIFA directive. Ulinzi Stars chairman Eric Oloo said: “We are well aware that all football federations are obliged to follow the FIFA statutes which gives them a right to enjoy financial assistance including development programs.” “A ban will negatively…

Harambee Stars midfielder Johanna Omollo has supported the fight against Coronavirus by donating foodstuffs to Dandora residents in Nairobi. Through Johanna Omollo Foundation, the Belgium based player supported his boyhood “Mtaa” with cooking oil, rice, ugali flour, sugar, hand wash, soaps plus other basic items. “[Johanna] Omolo grew up from Dandora and he saw it fit to give back to the community especially during this coronavirus pandemic which has greatly affected the lives of Kenyans,” the foundation’s chairman Godfrey Okoti told The Standard. Commonly known as “Tosh,” the Cercle Brugge midfielder joins a growing number of local football stars who…

Former international players are worried that the stand-off between the government and world governing body FIFA could portend job losses for local players. More than 1,000 players are currently featuring in the different tier leagues across the country and could be seriously affected should the country be banned by FIFA due to government interference. FIFA has dismissed a ruling by the Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT) for the formation of a normalization committee in Kenya. Harambee Stars assistant coach Zedekiah Otieno said he is disappointed some officials don’t care about a possible ban on Kenya. “The real stakeholders are coaches, players…

National Super League (NSL) council chairman Johsntone Sakwa has expressed concerns Kshs90 million sponsorship deal with Betika could be jeopardized if the government trashes FIFA’s directive on Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections. FIFA declined to form a normalization committee as requested by the Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT) and instead extended the current term of office for sitting officials until the current impase is resolved. Sakwa who also chairs NSL side Nairobi Stima said sponsors will not stay if there is instability and asked the government to be careful before taking any decision that might jeopardise the current stability. Sakwa also…

Victor Wanyama Foundation in conjunction with Kenya Red Cross, Gina Din Foundation and the Africa Yoga Project will today donate sanitizing kits in Mathare slums, Nairobi as part of efforts to fight spread of Coronavirus. Over 200 sanitizing kits will be distributed at Billian Family Centre, according to Daily Nation. Wanyama, who recently joined Montreal Impact in the Major Soccer League from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur encouraged Kenyans prevention guidelines to halt spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s very important to listen to what the health experts are saying over this issue. Let’s wash our hands regularly, minimise our…

Kenyan Fifa referees have welcomed Fifa’s directive regarding the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections. The referees expressed concerns that disobeying the directive could bring disastrous consequences to the country and affect them. They also condemned some officials who are resorting to court action pointing out that it risks bringing a ban to Kenya and getting rid of the gains achieved in the last four years. Former Fifa referee Mwangi Gikonyo said the gains that have been made over the last four years will go down the drain incase of a Fifa ban. “We have experienced stability in our game and…

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa and his executive will remain in office pending way forward in regards elections, FIFA has directed. In a letter to FKF, FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Officer Veron Mosengo-Omba said last week’s Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT) ruling which among others sent the FKF’s National Executive Committee (NEC) home had no legal effect. “We wish to emphasize that the relevant SDT ruling has no legal effect on FIFA,” the FIFA statement reads in part. SDT also cancelled FKF elections that had already begun and was to culminate in an elective Special General Meeting where Nick…

Lionel Messi has donated Kshs126 million in the fight against the coronavirus in Spain and native Argentina. Part of the assistance will go to Hospital Clinic in Barcelona and another to Rosario, Argentina. Spain is the second worst hit European country after Italy with over 40,000 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 and over 3,000 reported deaths. On the other hand Argentina was the first Latin America nation to recorded the virus and has thus far declared over 300 cases and one death. The Barcelona srriker joins other sports stars who have joined in the fight against COVID-19 by making personal…

World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge has termed “wise” International Olympics Committee (IOC) move to postpone 2020 Tokyo Olympics over COVID-19 pandemic. The summer games, due to begin on 24 July, will now take place “no later than summer 2021,” IOC said in a press statement Tuesday. Kipchoge, who was preparing to defend his Olympics gold medal, welcomed the decision, while looking forward to a better event next year. “All in all a very wise decision to postpone the Olympics until 2021. I look forward to come back to Japan to defend my Olympic title next year and look forward…

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games have been postponed until next year because of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. The event, due to begin on 24 July, will now take place “no later than summer 2021”, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed. “I proposed to postpone for a year and [IOC] president Thomas Bach responded with 100% agreement,” Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said. The Tokyo Paralympic Games will also be postponed until 2021. The event will still be called Tokyo 2020 despite taking place in 2021, the IOC said. In a joint statement, the organisers of Tokyo 2020 and the IOC…

FIFA Disciplinary Committee has directed that FKF pays them Kshs 4million arbitration procedures costs in a case involving former Harambee Stars coach Adel Amrouche. FKF had written to the disciplinary body requesting for more time to settle Amrouche’s award of Kshs 109 million for wrongful dismissal. Despite getting 30 more days to settle the claim, FKF was slapped with the additional costs. FKF had until 11 March 2011 to compansate Amrouche, but failed for lack of funds, and to guard against a possible ban, the federation sought more time. “The Communication, signed by FIFA Disciplinary Committee chairperson Yeboah Anin, additionally…

The 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo have been thrown into further doubt after Canada became the first major country to withdraw. Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, has admitted for the first time that the games could be postponed. Australia’s team has said it is “clear” the games cannot go ahead, and told its athletes to prepare for a 2021 games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is expected to decide the fate of the games in four weeks’ time. The games are currently due to begin on 24 July. The country’s Olympic and Paralympic committee said it had taken…

The recent decision by the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) to disband and recommend formation of a Normalisation Committee was a well calculated move. The SDT Chairman John Ohaga wanted to create a power vacuum to be accommodated in the Normalization Committee. The move was meant for him to be in communication with Fifa in order to gain inroads into the world football governing body through the ruling. Ohaga used the give and take decision where most of the decisions were in favour of the federation so as to seem fair and then nail the final nail on FKF’s coffin by…

Former Gor Mahia boss Frank Nuttall has mourned Henry Omino as a “tough competitor” and “highly respected” coach. Omino passed on Friday after a long battle with cancer, his former employer Kisumu All Stars announced. “My sincere condolences to the family of Henry Omino. He was a highly respected coach and tough competitor during my time in Kenya. He also helped me on many occasions,” Frank Nuttall said. Nuttall, who is currently the head coach of Township Rollers in Botswana understands Omino all too well having faced him in the Kenyan Premier League. Former Wazito FC coach Frank Ouna said…