The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.

Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
Email: [email protected]

NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Coaches call for unified FKF Women League

Football

By Rebecca Jebet | Feb 06, 2017

**THIKA QUEENS Thika Queens are crowned FkF Women Premiere League champs during their final playoff win against Vihiga queens at Camp Toyoyo on Saturday, Feb 4, 2017. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]**

As curtains fell on the 2016 Football Kenya Federation women premier league over the weekend, coaches have come out to support a unified league in the coming season as opposed to zoning format.

Last season, the league was played in a zonal format where teams were divided into two zones (A and B) and the winners of the zones met in the play-off final where Thika Queens outclassed Vihiga Queens 2-0 on Sunday.

Thika comfortably retained the title they won in 2015, their first season in the top league.

Commenting on the league format, Thika Queens coach Richard Kanyi admitted that a unified league is more intense compared to zoning.

“Playing a league with 14 or 16 teams is a tough task, but it’s better off because the number of matches are many and also the players get experience. Playing a play-off is not good because after the end of the league you have to prepare the team once again for play-off,” he told Feverpitch. The two-time champions, Thika Queens topped Zone A unbeaten with 32 points while Vihiga Queens led Zone B with 31 points.

Keep Reading

The issue of a unified league will be a tall order for clubs considering there’s no title sponsor and hence clubs will struggle to honour matches.

Although zoning was done in the 2016 season, some teams forfeited some matches citing lack of facilitation and it could be even worse if a unified league kicks off without a title sponsor.

Vihiga Queens coach Alex Alumira, whose team is sponsored by Vihiga County, said a unified league will bring competition in the league.

“A unified league is the way to go because it will bring competition and as a result raise women football standards in the country. If we have a competitive league then we will have a strong national team that will perform well in any qualifier,” ALumira said.

Soccer Queens coach Amos Kimani echoed Alumira’s sentiments adding that a unified league will bring out quality.