WHICH WAY SPL? Sportpesa ready for any league format as debate rages on

AFC Leopards' players crowds the centre referee Raphael Nduati over a decision against them their SportPesa KPL match against Mathere United on Oct. 17, 2015 at Kasarani Stadium [PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD}

Sportpesa, the official sponsors of the Sportpesa Premier League (SPL) have said they are not concerned about the league composition for the 2016 season but the growth and betterment of the local football.

This comes a few days after the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) declared that four teams will be relegated from the SPL and six promoted from the FKF Premier League, to have an 18-team league next season as per the decision made during their second Annual General Meeting in Kakamega.

However, the announcement did not go well with KPL, who insist that the federation must abide by the Memorandum of Understanding they signed between the two parties in September, which states that they will retain the current 16-team format.

The impasse could lead the Kenyan football back to this year’s scenario where two teams, Nairobi City Stars and Nakuru AllStars, which had been relegated, were reinstated after talks over the league expansion collapsed.

But in an interview with Feverpitch, Sportpesa Chief Marketing Officer Kester Shimonyo, whose Betting firm signed a four-year deal with KPL, distanced themselves from the stand-off debate, but said they are ready to work with any league format as long as there is transparency and accountability.

“When we got into this sponsorship, we didn’t discuss the league format or the numbers because the increase and reduction aspect was to be controlled by Kenyan Premier League Ltd. But in any deal we sign we are always flexible as long as there is accountability and everything is done in the right way,” said Shimonyo.

“If there is need for an increase and the board approves it, we are ready to for it. We are not concerned about the numbers but the growth of the Kenyan football.

“At the end of the day we are here to improve the game and make it successfully.”

SuperSport’s General Manager for East Africa Auka Gacheo said they cannot engage in the administrative issues of the game.

“Yes, we are the official broadcasters but we cannot make decisions on the league composition. KPL gave us property to broadcast and our position is still the same. We are just watching,” said Gacheo.

Just like KPL who are insisting on a 16 team league next year, FKF have stuck to their guns of demoting four teams and promote six.

“In terms of the teams, that is well captured in the MOU and for the 2016 season it will still remain sixteen teams. But in the MOU there is still room for discussion at the Joint Executive Committee where changes in terms of league calendar and size can be discussed,” said KPL CEO Jack Oguda.

“I think right now there is stability and that goes to show FKF handles the matters in regards to the top tier league and the their leagues.”

But for FKF boss Sam Nyamweya, a new league format will be adopted next year.

“Last year, there was a problem and that’s why we never relegated and promoted. But this year, four teams must be relegated and six promoted from FKF Premier League.

“Two are automatic, but for the remaining four we will sit down with JEC to discuss on the promotion modalities,” said Nyamweya.