Football Kenya Federation tightens stance on National Super League Club Licensing

Starting September, no team will be allowed to participate in the National Super League (NSL) if they do not meet the CAF Club Licensing criteria, Mozzart Sport reports.

In a bid to promote the professionalisation of football in the second tier, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), in collaboration with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has set criteria and minimum standards that clubs must satisfy to be licensed and, consequently, participate in the competition.

The CAF Club Licensing Portal is now open for Super League clubs for the upcoming 2024–2025 season and will run until July 31, 2024.

Teams that have not met the set standards by that time will not be allowed to take part in the new season and will be relegated to the third tier, as per FKF Leagues and Competition Committee head Doreen Nabwire.

"If a team fails to meet the set criteria, they will be demoted to Division One,” she told Mozzart Sport.

Among the requirements that clubs must fulfil before being issued a license are a youth development plan, a youth team in place, a women’s team either owned or adopted, medical cover for players, and a medical examination report for the players.

Furthermore, teams will need to show proof of stadium ownership or a lease agreement and proof of a training facility or a lease agreement.

All NSL clubs will need to have the offices of the CEO, finance officer, marketing officer, media or digital officer, medical doctor, physiotherapist, and head coach for the senior team, youth team, and women’s team, in addition to a complete backroom staff.

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In the just-completed season, a quick survey by Mozzart Sport noted that 14 out of the 20 teams on the circuit did not have tangible contracts with their players or the coaching staff.

This will now be a thing of the past with the criteria demanding players' contracts and a declaration of all club officials.

“The federation has now taken the right path. It is time to make the National Super League a direct replica of the premier league. It is a good step in the right direction; for once, our football will be taken seriously,” said Darajani Gogo President Yusuf Swaleh when asked about the impact of the licensing.

However, Mathare United CEO Jecton Obure expressed fears about all teams adhering to the requirements but maintained that if well implemented, it would bring soberness to the league.

“Club licensing comes with financial obligations, which I doubt teams are ready for. I know it is going to be tough and teams will be relegated, though it is something that, if well implemented, we are going to have a sober league,” he told Mozzart Sport.

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Early in April, FKF hosted second-tier clubs in Nairobi, where the heads were taken through the Licensing Online Platform (CLOP), featuring comprehensive training sessions for club representatives on platform usage.

They also received detailed presentations on the CAF Club Licensing regulatory framework (edition 2022) for both men’s and women’s categories, including explanations of the mandatory criteria for domestic and continental competitions.

Below are the five club licensing criterion pillars:

SPORTING CRITERIA

1. A Youth Development Plan

2. A Youth Team

3. A Women's Team (Owned or adopted)

4. Medical Cover for Players

5. Medical Examination Report for players

INFRASTRUCTURE

1. Proof of stadium ownership or a lease agreement

2. Proof of a training facility or a lease agreement

PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATION CRITERIA

1. Club CEO (Full-time or part-time)

2. Finance Officer (Full-time or part-time)

3. Marketing Officer (Full-time or part-time)

4. Media/Digital Officer (Full-time or part-time)

5. Safety and Security Officer (Full-time or part-time)

6. Medical Doctor (Full-time, part-time or external partner)

7. Physiotherapist (Full-time, part-time or external partner)

8. Head Coach for the First team, Youth team, and Women's team (Full-time or part-time)

9. Assistant Coach for the First team and Women's team (Full-time or part-time)

10. Fitness Coach

11. Goalkeeper Trainer

12. Head of Youth Development

13. Club Licensing Online Platform Officer

14. Head of Stewards

15. Team Manager

16. Safeguarding Officer

LEGAL CRITERIA

1. Letter of Declaration for participation in FKF Leagues and Competitions

2. Club's Approved Statutes

3. Club's Organogram

4. Certificate of Registration or a CR 12

5. Declaration concerning ownership or control of the club

6. A list of all club officials and board members

7. Players' contracts

FINANCIAL CRITERIA

1. Club Bank Account

2. Club Annual Budget

3. A declaration confirming the absence or existence of overdue payables

4. Payment Plans/Agreements (If any)

COMMUNICATION, MARKETING, AND COMMERCIALIZATION CRITERIA

1. Marketing and Communications Plan

2. Official Communication Channels and Social Media Handles

3. A Branding Strategy

4. Declaration to comply with data protection laws and regulations in Marketing Strategies

5. A written Strategy Demonstrating the Club's Fan engagement, Commercialization, and Revenue Generation Plan