Why Chemelil Sugar FC was disbanded after 24 years in the premier league

Chemelil sugar players after they were beaten 2-0 against Gor Mahia during their KPL match at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos on Wednesday 02/01/19[Boniface Okendo,Standard]

Chemelil Sugar disbanded after 24 years in topflight

Sony Sugar chairman maintains the club will be in the NSL.

Chemelil Sugar Football Club has been disbanded just a few months after their 24-year stay in the top-flight league came to an end.

The Kisumu-based club were relegated from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League at the end of the 2019-20 season when the top-flight was prematurely ended owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking to Standard Sports, Chemelil assistant captain Vincent Wanga confirmed that all players received communication through chairman Collins Agayi informing them the club had been disbanded.

Wanga, a key midfielder and leader for the club during the recent financial challenges said they were informed that their sponsor, Chemelil Sugar Company will cease to be involved with any sporting activities from next year.

“It is painfully true that we will not be able to play for Chemelil Sugar FC since the management has announced we all go home due to financial challenges,” said the 25-year-old utility player.

According to Wanga, they were told the club was disbanded after the government gave a go ahead of leasing of the Nyanza-based sugar companies thereby freezing recruitment of employees and promotions.

Coupled with financial constraints facing the club, the management saw fit to disband the 52-year old club which was formed in 1968.

Wanga is currently training with the relegated Kisumu All Stars as he hopes of either signing for them or attracting new suitors.

Chemelil Sugar players after their with AFC players at the Nyayo National Stadium

He added that all players and the technical bench, who were last paid a half of their respective salaries in March are owed salary arrears totalling to over Sh100,000 each which he requested should be cleared to help them settle before finding new employers.

“Finding a new club in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic will be very hard for players including me and therefore if we can be paid our dues it will help most of us who are jobless,” he added.

The club was set to play in the National Super League this season after being relegated from KPL in the abandoned 2019/20 season.

Muhoroni Sugar chairman Moses Adagala, who is a stakeholder at the now disbanded Chemelil Sugar FC said there are plans to revive the club under a new name and community management.

“The report circulating out there is the decision of the Chemelil Sugar Company ceasing to sponsor the team, but we as club stakeholders are planning to revive it through a new brand which we will announce soon,” he said.

The disbandment of the team comes just one day after the National Super League transfer window ended with the new season expected to kick off on November 28.

In Migori County, Sony Sugar club chairman Gabriel Otiende has brushed aside rumours that the 38-year-old club will be merged with FKF Division One side Gusii FC.

Otiende said they are preparing for the 2020-2021 National Super League season as they continue looking for sponsors after the team was relegated due to financial constraints that saw them miss three consecutive premier league matches.

“We have not entered into a deal with any club and therefore Sony will be there next season in the NSL,” he said.

The FKF Premeir League and NSL are expected to kick off at the end of the month.