NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 18 – Harambee Stars will require Sh234 million to stage a successful campaign for the second round of the World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The budget unveiled on Thursday by Football Kenya Limited (FKL) covers operational expenses for the team, international friendlies, and additional technical bench staff coupled with the hiring of a Football Director to arrive in the country no later than February next year.
FKL Senior Vice Chairman Titus Kasuve in unveiling the expenditure of the National team said Football Kenya had embarked on deliberate measures to market Harambee Stars as a brand, banking on the improved FIFA world ranking which puts the national team at position 68 in the world, 14 in Africa and the 2nd amongst the most improved teams in the world.
“Harambee Stars is the most valuable team in the country. When one compares it with the national support, the national team is involved in a very passionate game which touches the world and every Kenyan,” he said.
The budget hasn’t factored monies from the government in a major paradigm shift from the associations planning, which over the years has largely been dependent on Government financing to facilitate activities of the national team.
However, the ambitious income and expenses plan features a staggering short fall of Sh178 million. FKL has managed to secure Sh56 million only and anticipates making for the short fall through sponsors, partners and associates merchandising in efforts to raise monies from other non-traditional sources.
“The National Association has continuously depended on the Government of Kenya to finance the activities of national team; it has increasingly continued to be difficult to get enough funds,” He explained
Mr Kasuve also revealed on Thursday that the association had contracted a deal with Adidas to make new national team jersey to be used in stars next round campaign to be unveiled in January.
Also in the bag of good tidings he announced was the signing of TV rights sold to France Sportive 5, which has accrued Sh27 million. Another 29 million shillings is anticipated to be made out of gate collections.
Tentative plans also indicate that the National team is lined up to take part in five international FIFA friendlies, with one of the matches between Kenya and a yet to be known European team to be held in Kenya in February next year. Plans are also at an advance stage for Harambee Stars to travel to North Africa for a friendly match on January 23.
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