National team players must now agree to sign code to give up rights

By Gilbert Wandera
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has finally published a code of conduct to guide players called up to the national team, Harambee Stars.

To avoid the recent controversy between the federation and international striker Dennis Oliech, the code specifies that any player who is called up for national duty gives up the right on their https://cdn.standardmedia.co.ke/images.
Oliech recently announced he has quit international football because he has not been paid for his unauthorised use of his image by sponsors East Africa Breweries Ltd (EABL).

The matter found itself in Parliament this week with Sports Minister, Paul Otuoma, saying?they will talk with the player to change his mind.

By adopting the code, FKF is trying to avoid a similar situation in future with other players. The code gives a free reign to the sponsors to get maximum mileage for their investment.

The new code also bars players from giving media interviews without prior permission of the technical bench.
The code specifies that players will forfeit 20 per cent of their allowances if they turn up for training late. It further puts restrictions on players leaving camp, pointing out that they can only do so after being released by the technical bench.
Players will also be required to join camp immediately after receiving a release letter from their clubs. Some players, especially foreign based, have the tendency to delay by up to two days arriving in camp.

Some have left camp at night with covert knowledge with the team management, to spend long hours in night clubs.
It will be interesting to see how the new code of conduct takes effect on them.

The issue of players’ https://cdn.standardmedia.co.ke/images appearing on sponsors’ billboard has elicited angry debate amojng a section of players and the federation. Apart from Oliech, Parma’s midfielder MacDonald Mariga and Bob Mugalia also appeared in the billboard.
But while Mugalia has not made known his feelings, probably due to his lower profile, Mariga’s father has gone public, demanding that the players be paid.

Makadara legislator Gideon Mbuvi ‘Sonko’ took the matter to Parliament, demanding a ministerial statement on the issue, which prompted Sports Minister, Dr Paul Otuoma’s response of Tuesday.
Elsewhere, as Harambee Stars broke camp on Tuesday due to lack of a training ground, their opponents in the June 2 World Cup qualifier Malawi, are currently in China for training.

Malawi have also lined up a friendly match against Tanzania on their way to Nairobi to enforce their preparation.
It is not yet clear when Harambee Stars will resume training, especially because there is no suitable training ground. The team was locked out of Kasarani to pave way for today’s Armed Forces Athletics Championships and a regional volleyball tournament, which also starts today.

The team would have used Nyayo National Stadium, but the facility is locked for renovation.