Hussein Mohammed launches ambitious bid for Football Kenya Federation presidency

In a highly anticipated event held today, Hussein Mohammed, a veteran football administrator and the brain behind the Super 8 League, officially launched his candidacy for the presidency of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

In a passionate speech, Mohammed outlined his vision for revitalizing Kenyan football, which he described as being in a state of severe decline due to years of mismanagement, corruption, and lack of proper infrastructure.

Drawing on his two-decade-long journey in football development, Mohammed highlighted his successful track record in grassroots football, where he spearheaded the Super 8 League under Extreme Sports Ltd. The league, which involved around 100 football clubs each season, was instrumental in providing a platform for thousands of footballers to showcase their talent, with some players, like Victor Wanyama, MacDonald Mariga, and Innocent Mutiso, advancing to national and international prominence.

However, Mohammed was quick to point out the stark contrast between his achievements at the grassroots level and the current state of Kenyan football on a national scale. He lamented the decline in the quality of play, coaching, refereeing, and the overall football ecosystem, attributing these issues to a lack of talent development programs, business-oriented strategies, and rampant corruption within the football administration.

"Kenyan football has been dragged into the doldrums due to bad governance, corruption, and impunity. It is unacceptable," Mohammed stated emphatically. He further noted that the neglect and mismanagement have stifled the socio-economic potential of football in Kenya, leaving young and talented players without proper opportunities to develop and thrive.

Mohammed's campaign for the FKF presidency is built on three pillars: the past, the present, and the future. He emphasized the need to honour and involve former footballers, who have often been sidelined in the administration of the sport, despite their valuable experience and contributions.

His plan includes capacity-building initiatives for these former players in areas such as sports marketing, data analytics, and sports journalism, as well as establishing a national football museum and a hall of fame to celebrate Kenya's football heritage.

A Fresh Start!#HusseinForFKFPresident pic.twitter.com/yEzFiJRiYJ

— Hussein Mohammed (@husseinmoha) August 28, 2024

On the present state of football, Mohammed expressed concern over the dilapidated infrastructure that has hindered the growth and commercialization of the sport in Kenya. He proposed an ambitious infrastructure development strategy, starting at the grassroots level, with the construction of eco-friendly stadiums in each county and the establishment of futsal pitches across the country.

Mohammed also promised to work closely with county governments and private sector stakeholders to upgrade football facilities and academies, aiming to boost fan attendance and improve the overall football experience.

In his address, Mohammed also outlined his plans for the future, which include restructuring the management of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and the National Super League (NSL) to ensure professionalism, transparency, and accountability.

He emphasized the importance of commercializing the sport, drawing comparisons with neighbouring Tanzania, where clubs like Simba and Yanga generate significant revenues. Mohammed pledged to rebrand Kenyan football, restore its integrity, and attract private sector investments to support the development of the sport.

Mohammed's campaign also addresses key issues such as the welfare of footballers, the promotion of women's football, and the fight against match-fixing. He promised to guarantee players' rights, improve referees' working conditions, and introduce stringent measures to combat match-fixing, which he described as a threat to the livelihoods of over 600,000 individuals directly and indirectly dependent on football in Kenya.

As he concluded his speech, Mohammed called on all Kenyans who share his vision to support his bid for the FKF presidency, promising to bring about a "fresh start" for Kenyan football. "It is time to begin the campaign of hope, courage, and to make our collective dreams into reality," he declared.