NAIROBI, Kenya, September 14- Football Kenya Federation (FKF) have conceded the right to host this years’ CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup to neighbours, Uganda following weeks of tussles between the two federations and organisers.
FKF CEO Omondi Aduda in a press statement on Friday , said the federation had resolved to halt their sustained effort to contest the resolution by the regional tournament’s Executive Committee who had earlier granted the rights to Uganda.
In the spirit of true sportsmanship and in view of a special request from president of FUFA Lawrence Mulindwa, and given that Uganda has never had issues against Kenya, we as a federation have decided not to pursue nor challenge the current position any further and hence allow Uganda to proceed with preparations,” read the statement in part.
Kenya had won the bid to host the tournament during a CECAFA Congress meeting held last year in Tanzania but the decision was overturned irking FKF who sought the intervention of the continental governing body, Confederation of African Football (CAF) during its extraordinary meeting held in Seychelles early this month.
However, the Congress stood their ground since the Ugandan federation (FUFA) had already set up a committee to undertake preparations in addition to receiving the sponsorship kitty from the East Africa Breweries Limited (EABL).
“We as a federation and on behalf of the football family of Kenya state categorically that CECAFA has treated Kenya as a senior member very badly and we hope that such absurd treatment should never be meted on another CECAFA member in future,” retorted Aduda further rubbishing reports about the alleged meeting by the Congress.
FKF Chairman Sam Nyamweya had nevertheless hinted at the softened stance during the official sponsorship launch of the revamped Tusker Premier League (TPL) in Nairobi last week.
“From the onset, let me make it clear that our relationship (with EABL) is very cordial since it’s not about money they bring but how the brand will uplift the standards,” the football boss declared.
Kenya last hosted the annual tournament in 2009 which was marked by a low turnout that enraged CECAFA Secretary General Nicholas Musonye who has been fronting the organisers decision to hold the event in Uganda who are its defending champions.
