FKF Football Is Back as New League Season Begins

Ahead of the opening weekend, Football Kenya Federation joined title sponsors SportPesa and the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya in Nairobi on Wednesday for a Club Media Liaisons and Sports Journalists seminar aimed at strengthening coverage and increasing the visibility of the domestic game.

The workshop brought together club media officers, photographers and sports journalists as stakeholders sought to establish a coordinated approach to promoting the league throughout the season.

With attention now turning towards the opening fixtures, SportPesa Partnerships and Sponsorships Manager Japheth Akhulia said one of the major ambitions is to make league matches more attractive to supporters and families.

We want to make the league an experience and bring fans to the stadium, bring kids along. It's the media that can help create the buzz. Opportunities abound to even do more," Akhulia said.

He stressed that greater media exposure could play an important role in growing the league beyond Kenya and strengthening the profiles of clubs and players.

Last season the league attracted attention from as far afield as Asia, America and Europe. We can grow the league by the info the media sends out there," he said.

SportPesa also wants to broaden the appeal of the domestic game by involving personalities who genuinely support Kenyan football and creating stronger connections between clubs and their communities.

Akhulia pointed to last season's stadium attendances, competitive title and relegation battles, established derby matches and increased television coverage as foundations upon which the league can continue building.

Broadcasting was one of the significant areas highlighted during the seminar, with Azam carrying 331 live matches during the previous campaign while KBC also contributed to expanding the league's reach.

The campaign was played across 34 scheduled match days, while seven monthly awards were held alongside an Annual Gala recognising performances from across the competition.

Behind-the-scenes content was also expanded through five All Access episodes, while the Twende Game initiative helped encourage supporters to return to stadiums across the country.

The organisers now want to build on those gains.

Plans for the new season include packaging major derby fixtures as monthly marquee events, introducing a Fans Fun Day and increasing the availability of league merchandise and supporter rewards.

There are also plans to establish a central digital platform for the league, which would provide supporters with a stronger connection to clubs, players and competitions.

Greater emphasis will also be placed on helping teams engage directly with supporters in their respective regions.

For SportPesa, the long-term objective extends beyond increasing crowds and television audiences.

It is exciting Azam has more OB vans. At the end of the day we want to build the league, build the teams, but most importantly build players who make the teams in the league," Akhulia said.

That focus places clubs and players at the centre of efforts to increase the value and visibility of Kenyan football.

Media organisations are expected to play an equally important part.

SJAK President James Waindi welcomed the collaboration and committed sports journalists to professional coverage of the competition throughout the season.

We as SJAK commit to responsible and professional coverage. We will work with FKF and SportPesa to ensure the SportPesa League story is told to the world," Waindi said.

The renewed cooperation arrives at an important moment for the domestic game, with supporters preparing to return to stadiums and clubs beginning another battle for the country's top football honours.

After months of anticipation, attention now moves from meetings and preparations to the pitch.

The new season begins on Saturday.

FKF football is back.