NAIROBI, Kenya, November 17- World football governing body FIFA has pledged to help Kenya to re-launch its development programmes with the association set to release $500,000 (Sh50m) to aid the initiatives.
The funds will be provided by the governing body’s Financial Assistance Programme and they also include the bonus paid to member associations following the success of South Africa 2010.
FIFA president, Sepp Blatter announced the grant when he met newly elected Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in Zurich this week where the latter re-stated his commitment to resuscitate the country’s game that has suffered from leadership wrangles for over a decade.
“My main objective is to bring all the stakeholders of Kenyan football together. We have had conflict for many years, and we’ve even had two national federations.
“That’s all come to an end now that democracy has spoken, and we now have to make sure that everyone works together. I also want to rebuild links with our regional friends, especially the 11 countries that make up CECAFA,” Nyamweya told Blatter.
“We need structures to get youth football back on its feet and we’re going to base our work on a comprehensive programme called The Strength of Hope for Africa. Women’s football also has a big future in Kenya. A lot of women play the game and we’re going to focus on development,” the football chief who was elected on October 29 said.
“We’ve known each other for quite some time and you can count on my own personal support and the support of FIFA too,” the FIFA boss told his guest having been acquainted with him since the days Nyamweya was the secretary general of the now defunct Kenya Football Federation.
Blatter reminded Nyamweya of the enormous task ahead of him as he seeks to re-build the game in a country that is ranked 135th in the latest FIFA World Rankings.
“As well as reviving programmes targeted at youth football, the national team and women’s football, you have to reorganise the network of local branches, which have not played an active role for some time,” the Kenyan football boss was urged.