Why Kenyan sport will need huge lift from Covid-19 effect

Agripina Kundu carries Trizah Atuko during their training session at Kasarani Indoor Arena on May 14, 2019, ahead of the All African Games qualifiers in Uganda. [Photo/Stafford Ondego]

Just two days after the government reported its first case of the coronavirus in the country, the local sporting industry is already feeling its implications.

On Friday, the Ministry of Health announced a one-month suspension of public gatherings which has affected sports.

The federations, led by Football Kenya Federation (FKF), Kenya Rugby Union (KRU), Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) and Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) then took a drastic action by indefinitely suspending their activities.

The local federations had no option but to prioritise the health and safety of their employees, athletes, sponsors and fans over the inevitable financial losses.

However, the financial impact on the federations and clubs banking on income from ticketing as well as sponsorship deals could be huge.

It will also be interesting to see if the already struggling football clubs would continue to pay salaries during the break.

Though FKF had ordered this weekend’s Betway Cup and National Super League matches to be played behind closed doors before being indefinitely suspended, some clubs led by Gor Mahia, KCB, Bandari and Sofapaka opted not to honour yesterday’s round of 16 Cup fixtures leaving the tournament in jeopardy.

Gor were supposed to play against Posta Rangers, while KCB and Bandari were to face Wazito and Sofapaka respectively.

Rangers and Sofapaka had already travelled for their respective away fixtures before the government directive on Friday.

Just a week ago, betting firm Betika waived the gate charges for the 2021 Africa Nations Cup qualifier between Kenya and Comoros in Nairobi after sealing a Sh3 million deal with FKF for the fixture initially slated for March 25.

But the match has since been cancelled after the Confederation of African Football indefinitely suspended all the qualifiers scheduled for March 25-31.

FKF CEO Barry Otieno said the coronavirus could have far-reaching impact not only on the federation but the clubs as well.

“The implications are dire not only in Kenya but world over. Matches, tournaments and leagues are being put on hold with, massive consequences to commercial partners,” Otieno told Standard Sports.

“That said and done, health of the general public comes first and that’s why as FKF we have moved to suspend all matches despite the financial impact it has had not only on the federation but the clubs as well.”

And with KRU having indefinitely called off of their league season, KRU chairman Oduor Gangla said it will not be easy for the world economy to bounce back.

“Definitely coronavirus has created a lot of uncertainty. We don’t know when these competitions are likely to resume and you see most of us have been working towards a particular plan. But now that plan has to be put on hold,” Gangla said.

“Commercially, meetings have been canceled and companies are not allowing their staff to travel. So, there is business disruption and the moment we have this, most activities are affected. Sponsors who were willing to exploit on these activities, they can’t do so. There is going to be a big knock-on-effect, not only on us but world economy at large. For us it is difficult to gauge

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe yesterday resisted pressure for changes to the Tokyo Olympics schedule even as sporting events worldwide fall victim to the pandemic.

Abe pledged Japan would host the Games as planned in July and said he had no immediate intention to declare a state of emergency over the virus outbreak.

His comments come two days after US President Donald Trump suggested the Japanese capital postpone the Games for a year.