OUTCRY OVER KPL AWARDS:Questions linger over this year’s football gala

Valuable player of the year Kenneth Muguna hold his trophie as he backed up by models during Sportpesa Premier League Awards 2016 at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi on Tuesday night 13/12/16.PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO

There are days when you wake up, prepare and leave the comfort of your house to the stadium, for a Kenyan Premier League match.

The sad truth is that in many of those days; most fans return home disappointed.

Even referee(s) feel frustrated by the action on the pitch, coaches add no value to the pathetic display, while journalists too, are not any different.

Such is the tragedy with the Kenyan top tier league that has seen fans outraged with results of Tuesday night’s SportPesa Premier League Awards.

The event was meant to begin at 6pm according to the invites, but guests were kept waiting until 9pm.

Players were only given single entry passes and those, who came with their wives or girlfriends, were left asking well-wishers for extra passes.

George Bwana, a Sports Administrator and Football Agent, said the awards ceremony did not live up to its billing, adding that for anyone who has watched or been to any other gala, time keeping is paramount.

“People who organise such events must have travelled far and wide. SportPesa is a company of international repute. How could they get involved in such a sham?” posed Bwana.

Apart from a disorganised programme with very little pomp and glamour, the host of the night made it worse as he got most of his facts wrong.

Then, little-known Kenneth Muguna was shockingly crowned player of the year, immediately marking start of an unending outcry on social media.

A number of fans, former footballers and coaches criticised every single award of the night.

“How can a player finish runner-up in a category, then be crowned player of the year?" one posed.

"Kenyan club football had three major competitions and Tusker FC won two of the three, yet none of their players won something. Their best was Humphrey Mieno, who finished second. What a sham!” quipped Bwana.

Others questioned how Davies Omweno made it to the list of most improved referees, yet he was flagged by Confederation of African Football for poor performance during a 2018 World Cup qualifier between Libya and Tunisia on November 11, 2016.

According to a report from CAF, Omweno could not keep his position and movement. The Nakuru-based referee was also accused of incorrect identification of fouls and failure to administer some disciplinary sanctions.

The awards are organised by KPL, but Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK), together with local coaches and captains, picked the winners.

Mike Okinyi, SJAK Secretary General said the awards are driven by people of high integrity and under strict rules and regulations.

“SJAK was only in charge of individual player and coaches awards, while KPL picked best team managers, teams and referees.”

FKF President Nick Mwendwa was the guest of honour during the awards.