Sports

Police face armagadeon as funding issues emerge

Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 00:00 |
Innocent Babu of Mt Kenya (right) vies for the ball against Geoffrey Muchesa of Kenya Police during their NSL match held at Camp Toyoyo grounds last month. Police on Monday failed to honour a league match in Vihiga. Photo/PD/RODGERS NDEGWA

Kenya Police Football Club is barely floating even as it emerges that the team is finding it difficult to sustain itself in the domestic second-tier championship.

Sources have told People Sport that the situation is unclear given the fact that finances are a big challenge within the organisation.

The team started feeling the pinch when operational costs were affected last year. It is said that the team are now even lacking allowances and have so far given away a walkover against Vihiga United last weekend.

“It is very challenging at the moment for everybody at the club. It is not that we cannot afford but somebody at Management does not actually see the value of this team. It is basically a frustration that if not looked at might see all go down.

We have at least to part with Sh 380,000 for this year for referees because the Federation has burdened us but we will soldier on with what we can provide,” said the source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The law enforcers meet third-placed Bidco United at Camp Toyoyo this afternoon as the Round 16 of Betika Super League takes centre stage.

 Coach Gregory Mutinda of Police wants his team to focus and stay alert. “There have been challenges but my duty is to keep the players ready and in shape. It is a moment whereby mental strength counts.

So some of these things are administrative concerns but we do the job on the pitch,” he said of his 10th placed side who have amassed 19 points out of 14 matches.

Elsewhere, leaders, Nairobi City Stars travel to Serani Sports Club to meet lowly Modern Coast Rangers in what would look an easy match on paper for the Kawangware based side. 

However, of concern to Sanjin Alagic’s men is their inability to find the net in their two past matches against Ushuru and Muranga Seal; teams that incidentally meet today at Kianyaga Stadium. 

With Vihiga United have closed the gap at the top to a mere three points and with a light assignment against 15th placed APS Bomet, the pressure will certainly be mounting for the two former Premiership sides to get full points on the road.

“We can only think of our next match and how we can improve. I talk to my players and the plan is to finish every game on a high,” said United’s coach Sammy Okoth.

High flying Migori Youth on the fifth spot will be keen to get full points when they face stuttering AP at Camp Toyoyo with coach Robert Ojienda having in his ranks the league top scorer in the shape of Clinton Okoth who has 13 goals.

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