A confident Sam Nyamweya has kicked off his quest to reclaim the Football Kenya Federation (FKF)’s top position by unveiling a comprehensive blueprint aimed at resuscitating the number one sport in the country.
In a signed statement obtained by Africa Top Sports, Nyamweya officially declared he will contest during the forthcoming polls scheduled for February 2024, with a blueprint dubbed “back to the future.”
“After declaration of my candidature two weeks ago for the Football Kenya Federation elections in February next year, I Sam Nyamweya, MBS would like to table my area of focus for Kenyan football,” read part of the statement, adding: “I will be running my campaign on the tagline “Back to the Future” of our football where best practices in football are the yardstick of my management; running the affairs in a corporate way with a complete management board. This will go a long way to salvage the sport in the country and finish my two terms which were interrupted by reckless and ambitious people.”
Nyamweya further revealed his recent decision to vie for the top seat had been received positively across the country by saying: “I am deeply humbled by the support my declaration recently has attracted some of which are great people in the management of football locally, regionally and internationally,” adding: Working with a team of local and international advisors in the campaign I seek to bring back the glory of our football in Kenya.”
Among his key priorities, Nyamweya has promised to bring back Kenya Premier Leagues to its former glory. “I have recently met and received the endorsement of the Former Harambee Stars players who have joined my advisory team,” he said, adding: “I plan to secure a top-tier national Football Team Coach, who will then set up his own technical bench and recruit quality of players to the national team. The recently launched Talanta Hella Centre in Upper Hill Nairobi I propose with liaison with the Ministry of Sports, Youth, and the Arts to set up a Hall of Fame to showcase the incredible successes of our sportsmen and women starting with football legends like Joe Kadenge.”
He continued: “The new museum will be given priority in my tenure to inform and educate Kenyans on the journey the county has travelled in sports, especially football. The national women’s team: If our football will succeed we must ensure that the Harambee Starlets are given the support they need to competitively participate in their regional, continental, and international obligations.
“My team and I plan to strengthen county leagues which will be managed by the board of management to ensure accountability and transparency in their management. This is a replication of my management of football at the top where a board of directors will be key in the management of our football as a president with a team of board directors, the business community, and other stakeholders.”
What else did Nyamweya say in conclusion? “I seek to regulate tournaments and played only when leagues are between breaks and all have to be licensed. Football academies will be under the watch of the federation and be regulated and streamlined. I will set up an independent and autonomous Referees Board run by former referees.”