Football Kenya Federation (FKF) is set to host a Club Licensing Workshop for all 18 FKF Premier League clubs.
Taking place on Friday, August 4, 2023, in Nairobi, the workshop comes hot on the heels of Gor Mahia’s recent exclusion from the CAF Champions League due to non-compliance with licensing regulations.
FKF Draft regulations
With an eye on the forthcoming domestic season 2023/24, the primary aim of the workshop is to familiarize club officials with the FKF’s draft regulations on club licensing.
“Clubs will also be sensitized on the sanctions to be imposed in case there will be an inability to meet criteria for licensing,” the Federation confirmed in a statement.
More than just a mere formality, the FKF is keen on soliciting valuable feedback from the clubs themselves, considering their input to shape the final version of the club licensing regulations.
“Feedback got from the clubs shall inform the final document for the club licensing regulations,” the federation revealed.
Elements of FKF licensing
The club licensing process will encompass five essential elements: sporting, infrastructure, personnel, legal, and financial.
Meeting the mandatory requirements in each of these domains is the key to securing a license for participating in all domestic competitions. Equally significant are the sanctions to be imposed on clubs unable to meet these criteria.
“Clubs will have to meet the mandatory requirements to be able to be given a license to compete in all domestic competitions. The club licensing process will also be rolled out to the FKF-NSL clubs in due course,” FKF confirmed.
The introduction of club licensing in Kenyan football is not only a local initiative but also aligned with the global vision of FIFA, the governing body of world football.
Adopted by several football confederations across the globe, the system aims to promote professionalism, enhance governance, and encourage youth football development.
Beyond ensuring compliance, the FKF is looking to utilize club licensing as a catalyst for positive change within the football ecosystem.
By instilling a culture of professionalism and accountability, the federation hopes to attract potential sponsors, investors, and supporters, thereby bolstering the growth of football in the country.
