Francis Muhambe, head coach of the Ebwali Secondary School football club, has criticized the government’s announcement last year to directly promote teachers whose teams participate in the nationals of the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) as a key reason for cheating in school games.
Muhambe claims that this policy has led several schools to use unorthodox methods to secure spots at the national level. Speaking during the team’s training session, Muhambe emphasized the need for KSSSA leadership to enforce stricter regulations to prevent the organization from straying from its goal of showcasing young talent.
“This issue has entered into the heads of many teachers who would rather deny eligible students an opportunity to benefit from the school games and field ineligible players. KSSSA to some extent is helpless and unable to crack the whip on rogue teachers fearing political support and financial ability some schools enjoy,” said Muhambe.
“A player I coached in 2019 featured in this year’s competitions for another school. It is shameful for teachers to act unprofessionally giving those who used their time an opportunity over other students’ resources,” Muhambe lamented, while urging players not to be dragged into the menace but embrace discipline and join other clubs in promising leagues to further their football careers.
Cases of fielding ineligible players were rampant in the school games, especially in Nyanza region, with KSSSA Nyanza region chairman Otieno Oloo issuing a warning that those found culpable will face the full force of the law.
