Tough Times Ahead For SPL Clubs As Five Local Stadiums Are Banned
10th December 2018
KPL's Stadia Safety and Security Committee suspends top flight action until the said venues comply with requirements with affected clubs set to dig deeper into the pockets to honour matches
- In a statement posted in the Kenyan Premier League Limited website, Ruaraka Sports Ground, Mumias Sports Complex, Thika Sub County Stadium, Camp Toyoyo and Chemelil Sports Complex have been declared not fit to host SPL fixtures
- Apart from title partners and gaming giants, SportPesa, the SPL has no other commercial sponsor meaning participating clubs in the competition that was expanded to 18 two seasons ago have had to dig deeper into their coffers to meet the costs of playing in the league
NAIROBI, Kenya- The nascent 2018/19 SportPesa Premier League (SPL) season was thrown into organisational headache on Monday when five local stadiums were banned from hosting top-flight games.
In a statement posted in the Kenyan Premier League Limited website, Ruaraka Sports Ground, Mumias Sports Complex, Thika Sub County Stadium, Camp Toyoyo and Chemelil Sports Complex have been declared not fit to host SPL fixtures.
“The Stadia Safety and Security Committee has banned the stadia from hosting league matches. The stadia will remain banned until recommendations for the facelift are met,” the brief from the league management body stated.
Affected teams will be 11-time domestic champions, Tusker FC, AFC Leopards SC, Mount Kenya FC, Kariobangi Sharks FC and Chemelil Sugar FC who have the listed venues as first choice or alternate home venues in that order.
The decision is due to place pressure on the remaining facilities including Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Kericho Green Stadium, Kericho, Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos, Afraha Stadium, Nakuru, Moi Stadium, Kisumu, Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega and Mbaraki Sports Complex, Mombasa.
Other designated venues for top-flight games including Narok Stadium, Kinoru Stadium, Meru and Sudi Stadium, Bungoma are in need of redevelopment while the Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi, the second biggest sporting facility in the country, remains closed.
With fixtures coming thick and fast with the current campaign that kicked off on Saturday scheduled to end in May as the country realigns its domestic football with the international calendar, KPL’s decision is bound to have ripple effects to clubs struggling to meet the costs of playing in the league.
As the management of the affected grounds work to make them fit to stage SPL games, the quick solution is playing double or triple headers at one venue, further putting a strain on the surface especially with the prevailing wet weather.
Some of the affected teams will also be burdened with the additional costs of travelling to suitable venues for home matches; in some cases denying them much needed gate revenue.
Apart from title partners and gaming giants, SportPesa, the SPL has no other commercial sponsor meaning participating clubs in the competition that was expanded to 18 two seasons ago have had to dig deeper into their coffers to meet the costs of playing in the league.