The economy of Kenyan football is generally in a downward spiral, but we still act in the same way in the hopes that eventually everything would change for better, from the clubs to the national teams.
Taking into account all the factors that have contributed to this situation, I believe that now is the ideal time to address this problem, not only from the Government and Federation's perspective but also from every angle within the sport, including the fan base, supporters, and sponsors who can help to resurrect the Kenyan Football economy.
Kenyan football is a costly endeavor with little payoff. Even the wealthy teams that are currently supported by companies are merely on the verge of dissipating should there be a change in management with a more critical assessment of Return On Investment (ROI).
If you don't believe me, I have seen excellent teams, particularly those backed by corporations that I won't name, that were succeeding but failed after the management was replaced.
Should we keep burying our heads in the sand and hoping that one day things will get better, or are there other options that we may consider that could revive and sustain the game to greater heights?
It is imperative that we address the challenges and clarify the facts and figures, particularly with regard to what teams require in order to function properly and what they receive in return.
In the current state of affairs, many teams will continue to fire coaches left, right, and center because they think they are the issue; yet, there are deeper issues that we are afraid to address, especially with clubs who are now having financial difficulties.
Coaches may occasionally perform poorly and exhibit ineptitude, but I don't think this happens very often, especially when the team's performance is negatively impacted by the environment.
Back To The Basic of Finance.
Financial concerns are not an exception, and clubs should be confident enough to visualize a road map of where they have been, where they are now, and where they aspire to be.
Some questions that need to be asked include: How much does it cost to organize one game altogether? What was the overall expense for the previous year? What kind of revenue did we bring in last year?
These are only a few of the complex financial issues that any team needs to face if they wish to improve things and implement new resource mobilization tactics.
From the Kenya Women's Premier League to the Kenya Premier League (Men's League), the struggle is real. For the other levels, it is a classic example of survival of the fittest, and the majority of players simply play for love or because they have nothing better to do.
It is a known truth of life that the atmosphere in which we work also prepares us to be inspired to reach the highest degree of greatness.
You may fully understand the situation if you consider the welfare of players as a whole.
A child who is hungry cannot be expected to perform well in school, and the same holds true for football players. Even if you have the most gifted players, they won't be able to perform to their maximum potential if you don't give them the right environment.
The following seven areas, in my opinion, can help the football industry rebound:
- The government may offer tax breaks to businesses that support football or other sports. For corporations with x turnover, should be mandatory to fund the sport of their choice.
- Club licensing - The team and overall player welfare should be prioritized when teams do their operational planning. To participate in any league or tournament at any level, a club should have to meet a certain criteria. At all costs, shortcuts must be avoided.
- Team Structure - Review the team structure and include important departments, particularly those in charge of fundraising, partnerships, and marketing. Many clubs probably lack some of the departments due to lack of adequate funds. I think they can partner in a win-win way by outsourcing some departments to marketing firms.
- Sell Something (SS) - Clubs should consider providing value through merchandise, trainer development, etc.
- Own Something (OS) - Clubs may also consider making investments in property that will yield dividends, such as a building or a football field.
- Participate in a social responsibility initiative. Start a campaign for a cause you believe in, or join one already underway. Find a partner to help you raise awareness of the issue. There are numerous social concerns that need to be addressed, and you can be a fantastic conduit for spreading the word as an organization.
- Transparency: Each club should have audited financial accounts available that provide a clear picture of their financial situation (Books of account). Community groups and privately owned clubs ought to be subject to the same rules.
What else?
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