Expanding KPL to 18 clubs from 16 has far reaching effects

Football Kenya Federation President Sam Nyamwea (Centre) sits with his Vice President Robert Asembo (Left) during a special general meeting at a hotel in Eldoret. Asembo who was in the position in an acting capacity was endorsed into the position. 26-09-2014. PHOTOS BY: KEVIN TUNOI

The custodian of local football, the Football Kenya Federation, under the eminent leadership of President Sam Nyamweya, has proposed that the premier league be expanded to 18 clubs in 2015.

I use proposing sparingly because it came out more like a decree than proposal. It has to be difficult being a Sam Nyamweya in the football spheres of Kenya because when you speak, even when you mean well, nobody wants to believe you!

But let’s treat it as a proposal. Increasing the number of clubs in the Kenyan Premier League, to me, adds more colour to our league. We need more awareness that a league exists in Kenya.

Let every corner of this country know that we have a fully operational and most importantly competitive league in each available backyard. Players are the biggest beneficiaries here.

Having more teams means giving equal opportunity to all those talented youths out there who cannot make it to the hitherto 16-team league. This works for Harambee Stars because more players are brought in to the limelight for selection.

More teams mean more matches to be played. An additional four matches for each team during the season. Where is the time? You may ask. We have often taken some unnecessary break in June, veiled as ‘World Cup’ break.

Nobody has ever come out to explain the need for this break even when it is clear we never qualify to the World Cup. Oh, we go either way! Nevertheless, we need to put our players into more competition to avoid laxity.

On the flip side, I fear increasing the number of clubs in the league may prove a logistical nightmare. Inasmuch as we have had tremendous improvement in our league, the progress does not warrant an increase in the number of clubs in the league at this time.

In a league where clubs do not own football facilities, it will be a challenge staging nine matches all on one weekend. For instance, with Champions Gor Mahia and former giants AFC Leopards only able to play in Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Mumias and Nakuru, where will these matches be held?

Logistics come with financial implications. Clubs have often complained of inadequate funding in this league. The money received from sponsors is said to be equitably divided among the 16 competing teams.

Even then, some clubs can barely survive; players go for months without pay, allowances are not paid and suppliers wait for months for their dues to be settled.

A look at the continent shows that 16 is the predominant number of clubs in leading leagues. Tanzania can afford only 14 clubs in their league, Uganda re-launched theirs with 16, while the footballing nations of Ghana, Angola, Zambia and South Africa all have 16 clubs.

It is only Egypt and Nigeria that each has 20 teams in their national leagues. So what do we want to prove to Africa by raising ours to 18?

Egypt has put in adequate structures to ensure their clubs have sufficient resources to comfortably play throughout the season.

Their clubs annually bully Africa on continental stages. Nigeria has oil and the highest number of African dollar billionaires so we should not even think of competing with them.

The cinch is, we all would like to see more teams in our top tier league but is it time yet, structurally and financially? I don’t think so.

I may be wrong but I fear I am right on this!

Anyway this conversation should continue because it may open up the old debate of allowing clubs to sell TV rights.

Twitter: @TomBwana