Referees of 'neglected' beach football call for league action

Abdalah Abdul Malik who is a beach football referee plying his trade in Malindi, Kilifi county laments the lack of opportunities for beach football referees brought about by the lack of a structured league.

"Our job ends right here, most of the players who took part in the games I officiated travelled to Tunisia to represent the country in the African beach games but for us (Referees) not really.

"It would be great for us officials if we were enrolled for beach soccer refereeing courses so that we are well versed with the rules and regulations of these games," said Malik.

The match official says the lack of a structured seasonal league puts beach football referees at a disadvantage with no platform to  practise and familiarize with new rules as well as getting opportunities.

"Beach soccer games don't come to Kenya that often and it becomes very challenging to adapt to the ever changing regulations of the sport.
"But if we had occasional games then it would be easy to get used to the regulations," assured Malik.

Malik who doubles as a normal football referee further called on the Federation to give the same kind of support to beach football that they give to football and similarly for the referees just like the other leagues like the FKF Premier League.

"For the normal leagues we thank the FKF for recognizing us (referees), they give us the opportunity and education about rules and regulation of refereeing normal football.
"But it would be great if they arranged to give the same support to beach football that they give to normal football to nurture talent at the Coast," said Malik.

The Malindi resident proposes the coastal town that has produced a bulk of players for the national team, the Sand Stars, as a starting point to kick-start a fully fledged beach football league.

"Malindi is one of the places with a lot of potential in nurturing beach football because we are with a huge beach stretch from Kilifi to Magarini," said Malik.

It is six years since  FKF president, Nick Mwendwa, said that plans were at an advanced stage to start a Beach Football League after witnessing Harambee Sand Stars lose 10-3 to Ghana in the first leg of the Africa Cup Beach Soccer back in 2016 but those remarks are yet to see the light of day.

With plans underway to increase the beach games and spread them across the country to areas like Homa Bay and Busia, Malik and Co will hope the initiative will present more opportunities as they push for a structured league.