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The Nairobian

New 24 carat gold-plated FKF trophy leaves football fans in shock

Football

By Elvince Joshua | Jul 30, 2021

**The official FkF Premier League trophy** [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The winner of the 2020/21 FKF Premier League will lift perhaps the‘ most expensive’ trophy in the history of the local football when the season winds up on August 22.

But with it, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa once again split the local football fans right in the middle with revelations on cost and features of the new trophy that awaits the league winner.

On a TV show on Wednesday night, Mwendwa claimed that the ornamental design was inspired by Kenyan heritage (Magical Kenya).

The 80cm-long trophy that weighs 11kgs, depicts a Maasai man holding a ball above his head, while standing on the base of the Big Five animals.

According to Mwendwa, the 24 carat gold-plated trophy is worth Sh5 million.

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Gor Mahia did not receive any silverware for winning the 2019 campaign but Mwendwa says that the winner of the ongoing season will pocket Sh5 million, almost the same amount that went into designing the new trophy.

Among the Big Five, the trophy has a cheetah instead of the leopard.

Unlike other established leagues like the English Premier League, the German Bundesliga and the Italian Serie A that have iconic trophies, in Kenya, we have seen at least three different silverware in the last decade.

SuperSport, SportPesa and now BetKing have had their own trophy designs.

The pronouncement that the trophy cost Sh5 million also did not amuse Kenyan fans.

“Is this a trophy or a statue? Nick Mwendwa Should get serious,” Denis Opanda wondered on Twitter. “Do we only have the Maasai culture in this country? Then what happened to themes I have never seen anyone in the world play football in a Maasai kit/shuka.” Mghanga Mcharo noted: “Congratulations for trying to think about some concept: However it’s too busy, looks like trophies we give as souvenirs to hotel staff and visitors. How will a Captain whose team has laboured in all those matches feel proud in lifting that statue?

Tony Anelka tweeted: “The ugly-looking thing summarises mediocrity in Kenyan football.”

Keya Kinuthia asked: “This contraption is atrocious. You actually spent cash to come up with such an eyesore that you even struggle to explain ni kitu gani?”

“This cost Sh5 million? How much is the prize money for winning the league?” posed Benjamin Toz.

Sports journalist Celestine Olilo tweeted: “Can you stop embarrassing our country with such a thoughtless and weird-looking thing. This thing belongs in a voodoo shrine, not any winner’s trophy cabinet. Munatubebanga namna gani?”

“Good work. The KPL is about to get better with the introduction of the Betking Premier trophy. The monthly awards will serve as a motivation for players. I believe there is on an upward mobility of the league as compared to years back... All this has been made possible,” said Papi Chulo.

“The trophy looks good...” Charles Otieno.

KPL has never had an official trophy since Gor Mahia kept the SportPesa trophy.