KPL clubs to get Sh4.5m grant this season

By James Waindi

The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) has increased its annual grants to league participating teams, by Sh500,000 each with effect from this season.

This was announced on Saturday during a two day retreat at the Great Rift Valley Lodge attended by all the club chairmen to plan for the forth coming season.

The teams have initially been earning Sh4 million from broadcast sponsors Super Sport, but will from this year get Sh4.5m.

The meeting by the club heads also declared full support for the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and vowed to build a mutual relationship with the federation to help in the smooth running of the sport and develop football.

It was also decided that KPL rework on their constitution to comply with the local federation’s constitution.

"We normally have such meetings every year before the season kicks off, to deliberate on the budget and a number of other issues. We have decided that the annual grant be increased to Sh4.5 million from Sh4 million, but the Top Eight winner and the league winner’s prize remains Sh1 million," said KPL Chief Executive Officer Jack Oguda after the meeting.

Rangers FC Chairman Yobesh Ongeri said the increase was little compared to the costs of running a team, but noted that it was better than nothing.

"Running a team for a whole season needs at least Sh25m, and for a team without a sponsor, Sh4.5m is a drop in the ocean, but it is better than nothing. I think it could have been higher and teams could have even earned around Sh5 million, if the dollar rate was good," said Ongeri.

Meanwhile FKF chairman Sam Nyamweya, who graced the closing ceremony of the KPL meeting said the federation was in the process of landing a title sponsor for the league and promised to harmonise the league and the Division One fixtures to go in line with Harambee Stars programmes.