FKF Mombasa branch registered by Sports Registrar after complying with the 2013 Sports Act

Mombasa Sub-branch FKF stakeholders flank their chairman Ally Goshi (front centre) as they addressed journalists January 04, 2020. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD].FILE

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Mombasa branch became the first County of the association to align with the Sports Act 2013 and has been ordered to hold election within 90 days.

As a result, the outgoing office led by its Chairman Alliy Goshi on Monday announced the County election will be held on August 15, 2020 at Tononoka Social hall.

“We are overwhelmed by the decision taken by the Sports Registrar Rose Wasike to register Mombasa County under section 47 of the Sports Act of 2013,” said Goshi flanked by his Secretary and Deputy Secretary Rashid Mwandigah and Salim Ali respectively.

Also present at the press conference held at the Mombasa stadium were former FKF Vice President Twaha Mbarak and Kenya Football Coaches Association Chairman Ricky Solomon.

“Football fraternity in Mombasa has all reasons to smile after it complied with the Sports Act 2013. The registration has mandated us to conduct football elections within 90 days,” said Goshi.

The Chairman said already 24 clubs out of the possible 100 Mombasa clubs have complied with the Sports Act and more are expected to comply before the election date and urged clubs to comply to enable them participate in the election.

“We are in the process of unveiling the electoral board that will organize and conduct the election as per the Sports Registrar’s directives. The election process will be free and fair and all the interested parties including players, referees, coaches and football administrators are free to contest seats of their choice so long as they meet the criteria to be set by the electoral board,” said Goshi.

The chairman said the outgoing office will work closely with the ministry of Health to ensure all Covid-19 health guidelines are adhered to during the election process.

According to the Sports Act 2013 on certificate of registration, the Registrar shall not register more than one national County sports organisation run anyone discipline. In this case, Mombasa County has dully been registered as the only body to run football affairs in Mombasa County.

The Sports Registrar has also ordered the branch to develop short and mid-term strategic plans and submit all relevant documents for the branch and officials within three months from the date of registration.

The registration received a major boost after County Government of Mombasa Chief Officer in charge of Youth, gender, Sports and Cultural Affairs Innocent Mugabe acknowledged the registration of the branch.

“The department of sports shall work with the registered FKF Mombasa branch to develop football in the county,” said Mugabe.

Mbarak said the registration of the county is a big milestone in Mombasa football fraternity and urged other counties to comply with the Sports Act 2013 so that they can adequately participate in the forthcoming election.

“Football stakeholders have petitioned the government through sports ministry, both national and senate assemblies to intervene on the current football crisis and push for the dissolution of FKF,” said Mbarak adding that the office term of the current office expired on February 10.