Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier celebrates his victory as the Gor Mahia FC chairman elections 2016 at the Safaricom stadium Kasarani on December 11, 2016.[Photo/Gormahia.net]Conflict of interest could jeopardize Saturday’s Football Kenya Federation’s (FKF) Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mombasa, Gor Mahia’s Deputy Secretary General Ronald Ngala has said.
The clashing date means the club’s executive have to choose whether to travel to the coastal city or attend the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) title coronation of Gor at the lakeside city of Kisumu the same day.
“I don’t understand why there have to be controversies almost around everything. That date is very important when the league is coming to an end and the trophy is being handed over to the winner.
“I believe the president of the federation should be the first person present as the trophy is being handed over. His absence will tell the world he doesn’t care about KPL and only concerned with a few mischievous things which some people are planning to do at the AGM,” Ngala charged.
The AGM is supposed to bring together among others the chairmen of the KPL clubs in its current 18-team format.
Considering most chairmen could opt to attend matches involving their respective teams, improper representation may loom large at the AGM and consequently the question of legitimacy.
“Where would you be if you were a leader of your club? All of us will be in Kisumu including our chairman (Ambrose Rachier). There is no way we can miss such an event; whoever planned for the AGM to be on the same date had his own motives.
“I can’t comprehend why people have been so silent over such an important matter,” Ngala added.
A thorny issue about the number of teams in the KPL still lingers between the federation and KPL Limited, with the court yet to give final verdict on the same.
Another bone of contention is that of promotion and relegation criteria, with FKF insisting on a new format where two clubs will be relegated, two promoted and a playoff between third best team in the National Super League (NSL) and the third last one in KPL.
KPL Limited is opposed to the proposal, which is among the issues pouring cold water on the two institutions relationship ahead of the AGM.