FOOTBALL From neglect to glory: FKF Premier League's road to riches and respect

FKF Premier League redeems itself with KBC partnership, promising rewards, and recognition, bringing hope to players and fans alike.

When former Gor Mahia defender Dennis Ng'ang'a criticized the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) for failing to recognize individual achievements at the end of the 2022/2023 season, he shed light on a longstanding issue in Kenyan football. 

Despite the dedication and talent displayed by players, the absence of awards and substantial prize money had left many feeling unappreciated. 

The league, once vibrant and competitive, had faced challenges in recent years. 

However, the tide is turning for the better, thanks to FKF's partnership with the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) as the official Free-to-Air broadcast partner for the FKF Premier League. 

With a significant increase in prize money and expanded television coverage, the 2023/2024 Football Kenya Federation Premier League winners will finally have something substantial to take home.

Ng'ang'a, a pivotal figure in Gor Mahia's historic 20th league title triumph in the 2022/2023 season, was vocal about the lack of recognition for individual excellence. 

His exceptional performance as a defender had made him a top candidate for the Defender of the Season award, had there been an awards gala. Speaking about this issue, Ng'ang'a emphasized the importance of acknowledging individual achievements in addition to team success. 

"The federation slept on their job... There are also individual accolades (that should have been given to players). I think it was not right in my opinion," he stated as per Skilz TV. 

Ng'ang'a was not alone in his sentiments, as football analysts and fans shared his disappointment regarding the absence of an awards gala. 

This void had left many players feeling undervalued and overlooked.

The recent history of the FKF Premier League has been marred by financial challenges and a lack of recognition for champions. 

In the 2021/22 season, Tusker FC clinched the title but received a meager prize of Sh2 million due to the turmoil caused by the disbandment of FKF and allegations of fund misappropriation.

The 2019/20 season saw Gor Mahia declared champions when the league was halted prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Surprisingly, despite their triumph, they did not receive the championship trophy or the Sh4 million title-winning prize money. This was a repeat of the 2018/2019 season when organizers also failed to deliver the prize money to Gor Mahia.

However, the tide is turning, and a new era is dawning for Kenyan football. FKF has inked a significant partnership with the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) as the official Free-to-Air (FTA) broadcast partner for the FKF Premier League. 

This partnership brings with it not only increased visibility for the league but also a substantial increase in prize money.

"We settled that the winner takes 5 million, but that is not the big point. The big point is how the 11 million will be distributed according to where they are in the standings at the end of the season," revealed FKF president Nick Mwendwa.

This distribution ensures that even teams lower down the standings will receive a share of the prize money, providing a financial boost for all participating clubs.

Moreover, fans and players alike can look forward to a gala night at the end of the season, where individual achievements will be recognized and celebrated.

Television coverage is another game-changer in this new era for Kenyan football. 

With KBC broadcasting two games and Azam airing three matches every weekend, fans will have the opportunity to watch five matches on television every weekend. 

This increased visibility not only benefits the league but also promotes players and enhances their marketability.

Furthermore, there are exciting plans for the future. By the end of the third year of the partnership, all football matches are expected to be televised, ensuring that fans can follow the league closely and players can showcase their skills to a broader audience.

As the 2023/2024 Football Kenya Federation Premier League season progresses, the race for the title intensifies. 

Posta Rangers currently lead the standings, with defending champions Gor Mahia not far behind. 

With 22 more matches to be played until the end of the season, the competition promises to be fierce, and the increased prize money adds an extra layer of motivation for teams to perform at their best. 

Follow the Pulse Sports Kenya WhatsApp Channel for more news.