The Reign of Hussein Mohammed: Grassroots Football, Facilities Are My Top Priorities
Mohammed is well aware of the enormity of this task. In his first press briefing, he outlined plans to engage both the government and private sector in a concerted effort to improve sports infrastructure. His goal is to ensure that by the time Kenya is ready to host international tournaments, the facilities will meet global standards.
At the age of 47, Hussein Mohammed, a seasoned football administrator, finally ascended to the position of Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president, fulfilling a long-awaited dream. His election victory, confirmed on a historic Saturday at Kasarani Gymnasium, marked a new chapter for Kenyan football. While his achievement is monumental, there is no time for rest. Mohammed faces an immediate and daunting challenge: to restore Kenyan football’s glory, which has been marred by years of mismanagement, poor infrastructure, and waning fan interest.
In his inaugural address, Mohammed made it clear that his focus would be on grassroots football and improving the country’s sports facilities. His vision is clear: rebuild Kenyan football from the ground up. But what lies ahead in the realm of sporting infrastructure and the Kenya Premier League? And how will Mohammed handle the myriad challenges awaiting him?
A Dream Realized Amid Challenges
For years, Mohammed has been a vocal advocate for better football governance. As the CEO of Extreme Sports, a company renowned for promoting grassroots football through initiatives like the Super 8 League, he has long pushed for reform. Now, as the FKF president, he is seen by many as the beacon of hope for Kenya’s troubled football scene.
But despite the optimism surrounding his leadership, Mohammed faces an overflowing in-tray at Kandanda House. His tenure begins in the shadow of pressing issues, both domestic and international.
First on the agenda is the fate of Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat, whose tenure has been marred by inconsistent results. Firat’s future at the helm of the national team has been a matter of contention, and Mohammed will have to make a swift decision on whether to retain the Turkish tactician or bring in fresh leadership for Kenya’s flagship football team.
But Firat’s future is just one part of the puzzle. Mohammed’s larger task is to rebuild a competent secretariat that will breathe life into the FKF, restore credibility, and attract the vital sponsorships that have long been missing from Kenyan football. Without the financial backing of sponsors, the football ecosystem—ranging from grassroots leagues to the Kenya Premier League (KPL)—cannot thrive. The absence of sponsors has left Kenyan football cash-strapped, leading to poor team performances and dilapidated infrastructure.
Grassroots Football as the Foundation & Infrastructure Dilemma
Mohammed’s blueprint for reviving the sport starts at the grassroots level. Throughout his career, he has been a firm believer in nurturing talent from the ground up. Kenyan football has historically lacked the structures to identify and develop young players, a gap Mohammed is determined to fill. His plan involves expanding youth academies and community-based leagues, offering budding footballers a clear pathway from local competition to the national stage.
By revamping grassroots football, Mohammed hopes to create a strong feeder system for both the Kenya Premier League and the national teams. His experience with Extreme Sports has shown him the importance of empowering young players and providing them with competitive opportunities early on. He envisions an era where talent from remote parts of the country can be scouted, nurtured, and propelled to professional levels.
While grassroots development is essential, the state of Kenya’s sporting infrastructure remains a glaring issue. From poorly maintained stadiums to inadequate training facilities, Kenyan football has suffered greatly due to neglect in this area. Mohammed’s success as FKF president will largely depend on how effectively he can address these infrastructural gaps.
In particular, the country’s prospects of co-hosting the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 alongside Uganda and Tanzania are in jeopardy. Kenya’s lack of preparedness has raised doubts about its ability to meet the infrastructure demands of such a continental event. Major stadiums like Nyayo and Kasarani are in desperate need of upgrades, while regional venues across the country require significant investment if Kenya is to avoid embarrassment on the global stage.
Mohammed is well aware of the enormity of this task. In his first press briefing, he outlined plans to engage both the government and private sector in a concerted effort to improve sports infrastructure. His goal is to ensure that by the time Kenya is ready to host international tournaments, the facilities will meet global standards.
Restoring the Kenya Premier League
Beyond infrastructure, the Kenya Premier League (KPL) itself needs urgent revitalization. Once a thriving competition that attracted sponsors and fans alike, the league has suffered from declining standards, financial instability, and match-fixing scandals. Teams have struggled to stay afloat, and fan attendance has plummeted.
Mohammed’s plan for the KPL includes restoring its financial stability by bringing sponsors back on board and enforcing tighter governance structures to prevent corruption and mismanagement. He is also keen to enhance the league’s competitiveness, with a focus on transparency in player transfers and officiating. His previous success in organizing community leagues through Extreme Sports positions him as the ideal candidate to inject new life into the KPL.
Match-Fixing and Corruption
Corruption, mismanagement, and match-fixing have cast long shadows over Kenyan football, leading to disillusionment among fans and players alike. The integrity of the game is at stake, and Mohammed knows that a clean, transparent administration is crucial to restoring trust.
During his campaign, he vowed to crack down on match-fixing and introduce stringent measures to ensure accountability within the FKF. A zero-tolerance policy on corruption will be key to attracting sponsors, who need assurance that their investments will not be squandered.
Perhaps one of Mohammed’s greatest challenges will be rekindling the passion of Kenyan football fans. Attendance at matches has dwindled over the years, with empty stadiums becoming the norm even during high-profile fixtures. This is partly due to a lack of competitive football, but it also reflects deeper frustrations with the governance of the sport.
Mohammed hopes that by improving the quality of football on offer, both at the grassroots and professional levels, fans will return to the stands. He also plans to introduce fan engagement initiatives, creating a stronger connection between clubs and their supporters.
As Hussein Mohammed settles into his new role, the weight of expectations is immense. He inherits a football system fraught with challenges, from infrastructural decay to financial instability. Yet, his track record as a football administrator, coupled with his passion for the game, has given hope to many.
The road to success will be long and fraught with obstacles, but Mohammed’s commitment to grassroots football, modern infrastructure, and competent governance offers a glimpse of a brighter future for Kenyan football. Whether he can deliver on his promises will determine his legacy and the direction of the sport for years to come.
For now, all eyes are on Kandanda House as Mohammed begins his quest to transform the game.
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