FKF supports Ex-international Welfare Association,Kenya drops four slots

Football Kenya Federation, FKF has finally endorsed the formation of former Harambee stars players Welfare Association, jumpstart its operations with a boost of ksh.100 000.

The ex-International welfare association will comprise of former Harambee Stars players. Sam Nyamweya, FKF chairman said that the federation will conduct a fund raising for the association which will go towards boosting the welfare kitty.

The federation also plans to set up a hall of fame at the Nyayo national Stadium Aquarium area which also hosts FKF offices, which will serve as a museum with selected photos of former Harambee stars players, trophies and samples of the uniforms the players used in the past.

FKF is in the process of setting up a ‘heroes corner’ at Nyayo and Kasarani stadia where all former international players can sit and watch Kenya Premier League, KPL matches free of charge.

As part of its efforts to boost the former players, FKF plans to absorb the Kenyan soccer heroes into various football committee locally and regionally to serve on advisory basis.

"We want to involve all the former players in the football administration in the country and we will absorb them in various committees with some serving in the CECAFA. We will also appoint one of them as a football ambassador who will be travelling with the national team to advice the players," said Nyamweya.

Nyamweya was speaking after he received the trophy won by the Kenyan ex-internationals who saw off their Tanzanian counterparts 9-8 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time of the game played in Mombasa.

Former international defender, Allan Thigo who is the captain of the veteran team presented the trophy to the federation. The team included among other players, Austin Oduor, Anuale Odhiambo, Abbas Mohamed, George Sunguti , Jacob Mule, Eli Adero Ricky Solomon and Joe Kadenge.

This is the second trophy in the FKF cabinet after the Menengai Shield trophy. The Menengai Shield was played between 1934 and 1965 with Mumias winning the first trophy and Nakuru Simba winning the last edition in 1965.

Meanwhile,Kenya has dropped four places in the latest Fifa rankings. Harambee Stars are placed 117th in the world with 285 points following a period of inactivity at the international stage.

Continentally, Kenya is placed 34th out of the 53 ranked nations. Ironically, Kenya’s last opposition at the international level, Togo, has climbed a massive nine places to position 88. 

At position 92, Uganda remains the highest placed country in the Cecafa region, though the Cranes have also fallen four places down the rankings. Rwanda and Sudan are also ahead of Kenya at position 105 and 113 respectively. Burundi, Ethiopia and Tanzania are placed 127, 138 and 145.

 Ivory Coast are still the highest ranked African country at position 15 followed by Ghana at position at 22. Algeria, Mali and African champions, Zambia, are placed at position 38, 39 and 40 respectively.

World and European champions, Spain, maintained pole position in the global rankings with 1442 points ahead of Germany and Uruguay. The Netherlands have slid two places down to fourth with Portugal wrapping up the top five bracket. 

Brazil, England, Croatia, Denmark and Argentina are the rest of the teams in the top ten in that order.

 Elvince Joshua & Nesta Kizito

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