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The Nairobian

Football: Hooliganism impediment to football, says officials

Football

By - | Nov 24, 2013

By GILBERT WANDERA

SuperSport Head of Africa Andre Venter gives Gor Mahia’s David Owino his award. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Football stakeholders and sponsors have expressed concern over hooliganism in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) with calls to bring it to an end.

The vice was cited as the biggest impediment to the growth of the league and the country’s top two community clubs AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia were cited as the biggest culprits.

Speaking during Wednesday’s KPL gala, SuperSport head of Africa, Andre Venter, said the company is concerned about hooliganism during matches and asked authorities to reign it in.

“The league has grown but we are concerned about hooliganism and it puts our staff and equipment in danger,” said Venter. He said the company will next season show more matches on HD as they continue to expand their investments locally.

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Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) Managing Director Joe Muganda backed him.

“We are happy with the progress made in this league and we will come back next season and in future. But hooliganism is a major concern and we are asking the organisers to look into it before it kills sponsors’ confidence,” he said.

The company became title sponsors of the KPL last season in a three-year deal set to be renewed next season.

Sports Cabinet Secretary, Hassan Wario, also urged clubs to take care of their fans.

“I was disappointed by what I witnessed at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday during the GOtv Shield final. Some fans broke seats and the gates. This destruction of property is uncalled for. It spoils the image of the sport and can scare away sponsors if not addressed,” he said.

Wario also ruled out the setting up of a special police force to deal with the vice, insisting it is not necessary and left the role of controlling the menace on clubs.

“We do not have a special police force in England or Netherlands and Kenya is not special. Clubs must take responsibility for the conduct of their fans. I am ready for talks on how this can be done because it cannot he left to any one party,” he said.

FKF chairman Sam Nyamweya said he has consulted with various state agencies on how to end the menace and promised that will be put under control soon.