Tournament Model Not the Solution for Grassroots Football

In a recent interview, a Football Kenya Federation (FKF) presidential aspirant outlined a proposal to “revolutionise” grassroots football by introducing a distinct tournament model.

At first glance, his idea may sound appealing to the uninitiated, but for those familiar with the complexities of the game, it raises serious concerns.

The plan, reminiscent of a previous controversial tournament format, appears more like a business venture in disguise than a genuine effort to develop grassroots football.

This model lacks the structure and long-term vision needed to uplift the game in Kenya.

A Business Disguised as Football Development?

The candidate’s previous tournaments, organized years ago, charged grassroots teams Ksh 5,000 each for participation.

With over 3,000 teams signing up, this would have earned the organizer approximately Ksh 15 million. Yet, despite these significant registrations and fees, many felt that the funds went more towards personal gain than developing the sport.

Further controversy surrounded the tournament as teams were reportedly compelled to open bank accounts at a specific branch where the organizer's spouse worked as a manager.

This raised red flags about conflicts of interest, leading many to question whether the tournament's primary goal was football development or individual enrichment.

Delays, Lack of Structure, and the Toll on Teams

Unlike FKF’s structured grassroots leagues, which provide consistent competition throughout the season, the distinct tournament operated sporadically.

Once teams paid their registration fees, they often had to wait months - sometimes up to eight - for the tournament to begin and end.

The lack of fixed timelines meant that half of the teams were eliminated on the very first day, leaving many without meaningful competition for the remainder of the year.

One glaring example of the tournament's failure to nurture new talent was its “Best Player” award going to retired footballer Francis Thairu in its last edition seven years ago.

This highlights a fundamental flaw in the model - an inability to foster young, emerging talent at the grassroots level. How can a tournament claim to be developing grassroots football when its most celebrated player is already out of the game?

Worse still, the unpredictable nature of the tournament forced many teams to return to the FKF grassroots league after being eliminated. A strong and sustainable grassroots structure requires regular, organized competition - not commercial tournaments with no clear schedule.

Only someone with a limited understanding of football would think that sporadic, high-fee tournaments could effectively replace a grassroots league system.

Conflicts with FKF and Questionable Intentions

The model also led to significant conflicts with FKF-sanctioned leagues, as the tournament often clashed with official FKF competitions. On numerous occasions, requests from local FKF branches to reschedule the tournament after league play had concluded were met with outright rejection.

The organiser even took FKF to the Sports Tribunal, where he successfully argued that he was not a member of FKF and therefore not subject to its regulations. This raises an important question: How can someone who once distanced themselves from the Football Federation now claim to be the right person to lead it?

The tournament's erratic schedule and lack of coordination with FKF hurt grassroots teams, with some prominent clubs even disbanding due to disputes arising from the tournament. How can we trust this individual to reform grassroots football when his past efforts have led to the destabilization of several grassroots teams?

As FKF elections approach, the promises and proposals of each candidate must be scrutinized, especially when they involve a model that has proven to be problematic in the past. Grassroots football requires consistent, structured competition to thrive, not sporadic tournaments designed more for profit than player development.

While this distinct tournament model may seem innovative in concept, it has shown itself to be flawed in execution. Its lack of transparency, focus on personal gain, and disregard for the long-term growth of grassroots football make it an unfit solution for Kenya.

The Football Community Must Choose Wisely

For the future of football in Kenya, stakeholders must ask themselves crucial questions: Is this candidate's distinct tournament model really the solution to developing grassroots football, or is it just a business venture disguised as one? The stakes are high, and the future of our game rests in the hands of those who are genuinely committed to its sustainable growth - not those looking to enrich themselves at the expense of clubs.

In conclusion, the future of Kenyan football is in individuals who understand the importance of structure, sustainability, and true development at the grassroots level. A commercialised, sporadic tournament format will only set us back, while those with a genuine commitment to the game will help it grow. The time to choose is now, and the football community must remain vigilant to ensure that our sport stays in the right hands.

Kenn Okaka is the FKF Communications Manager