Fresh twist in FKF-Gor Mahia tussle over StarTimes deal

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa says that they will stand by Gor Mahia Secretary General Sam Ocholla’s endorsement of the StarTimes deal.

Mwendwa said that FKF recognises Ocholla’s activities because he was duly elected thus the endorsement letter holds and is not null and void as suggested by club chairman Ambrose Rachier.

“We have an endorsement of Gor Mahia from a bonafide Secretary General and we are going to stand by it,” said Mwendwa.

He spoke on Thursday during the unveiling of StarTimes as the official broadcaster of the top flight league matches, National Super League (NSL) and national men and women’s teams.

Ocholla and Rachier have been at loggerheads since Tuesday after the former signed an undertaking to accept the StarTimes deal.

Rachier has accused Ocholla of signing the StarTimes deal without the consent of the Executive Committee (EC). However, Ocholla maintains that he had the blessing of EC members and that they are afraid to come out on the matter.

While reiterating that the 2020/21 domestic league will start on Saturday as planned, despite the government having not given the green-light, Mwendwa said they will decide on the action to take against the clubs that have not endorsed the deal next week.

“We have written to them to encourage them to sign. We are giving them time to reconsider their decision and if they will not sign, then FKF will consider what to do,” said Mwendwa.

Ulinzi Stars, Zoo FC and Mathare United are the clubs that have not endorsed the deal, which is worth aroudn Sh110 million a year and will run for seven years.

Mwendwa said that the value of the deal will increase by five percent after the first three years and extension will be negotiated in the sixth year.

He said that that 100 top flight league and 30 NSL matches will be broadcasted live on television per season and that they will seek to extend the deal for five or six years.

“This is good news to the clubs and fans especially during this time that there will be no fans in the stadium due to Covid-19 containment protocols,” said the FKF president, adding that referees have instructions not to start the matches should a fan be spotted in the stadium.

League winners will get Sh5 million as prize money while the other 17 teams will share an equal amount according to rank at the end of season.

StarTimes Chief Executive Officer Hanson Wang promised viewers of a good experience.