SuperSport not keen on 18-team League

Kenya Basketball Federation Chairman, Paul Otula (2nd left) shakes hands with SuperSport East Africa General Manager, Auka Gecheo as he was being presented with league sponsorship. Looking on is MultiChoice Kenya Communication manager, Philip Wahome (2nd right). DStv & Menengai Oil have pumped in Sh12 million to support the KBF league this season.

Kenyan Premier League (KPL) broadcasters SuperSport have expressed reservations over the suggestion to increase the number of teams next season to 18.

SuperSport General Manager for East Africa, Auka Gacheo, said introducing a bigger league at this time poses several challenges.

“We have no problem with developing football in the country, but at the moment we have a binding contract with KPL which stipulates that the league should have 16 teams.

“Before such a move is taken, we have to look at how it will affect the existing contract and how this will be implemented.

“We are also looking at what kind of value we will get for having 18 teams. Furthermore, such an increase will automatically increase the number of matches to 66 and add another four weekends of production.

“This will lead to a significant increase in the costs which we have not budgeted for. In our opinion, this idea needs to be introduced slowly,” he said.

The current contract between SuperSport and KPL expires next year, but discussions on its renewal will be held next week in South Africa.

On Monday, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) moved closer to having an 18-team league next season after forming a committee to look into the proposal.

The four-member committee has two officials each from FKF and another two from KPL and will report back in two weeks.

Members of the committee are Robert Asembo and Michael Esakwa (FKF) while George Odhiambo and Jack Oguda will represent the KPL.

According to FKF chairman Sam Nyamweya, the committee will look at the advantages and disadvantages of having an expanded league after gathering views from various stakeholders.

The federation has proposed an 18-team league for next season. On Monday, FKF met with KPL and representatives from league broadcast sponsors SuperSport.

If the committee returns a verdict to expand the league, it will now be up to KPL to change their constitution to allow for a bigger league next season. At the moment the KPL constitution only allows for a 16 team league.

According to FKF’s proposal, Nairobi City Stars, who finished 15th, will not be relegated. Nationwide league teams Nakumatt and Kakamega Homeboyz will play this weekend with the winners earning promotion to next year’s league.