Sports lawyer Japheth Munyendo Ochutsi has been appointed as a Pro Bono counsel by world’s governing body, FIFA.Munyendo who is commonly known as Chu Tsi in the local football circles is among 20 other advocates drawn from across the world who, were ratified by the FIFA counsel after a selection process that had over 100 applicants and, will serve for a period of three years.The pro bono counsels will, among other things help in ensuring that individuals with financial difficulties can access expert legal representation. “The newly appointed pro bono counsel will perform a crucial role in guaranteeing the rights of individuals who would otherwise lack the financial means to defend themselves appropriately before FIFA’s judicial bodies,” reads part of a statement in FIFA’s website.##NAJAVA_MECA_7395793##Speaking to Mozzart Sport, Munyendo welcomed the appointment. “I am elated and grateful for the appointment. It’s a great milestone towards the right to fair hearing which contains the right to legal representation. We’re ready to share our experience towards the development of jurisprudence,” he said.Young Africans SC’s legal director Simon Patrick is the other East African advocate in the list. Ondieki hoping to coach in the top flight soonOthers counsels from Africa are Amobi Ezeaku of Nigeria, Farai Rozano of South Africa and David Kanyenda of Malawi. The other appointees are Paleogos (Australia), Juan Alfonso, Alberto Roige Godia (Spain), Saksham Samarth (India), Felipe Vasquez Rivera (Uruguay), Yoann Brigante (Switzwerland), Andres Charria (Columbia) and Jess Colmenares (Venezuela).Others are Dev Kumar Parmar (United Kingdom) Anastasia Malyarchuk (Russia), Joel Monlouis (France), Salvatore Civale, Edoardo Mazzoli, Lucas Pastore (Italy) and Marcos Motta (Brazil).FKF sets date for Division One/NSL play offsLocally, Munyendo has represented Football Kenya Federation, Tusker FC and Zoo FC and is currently the secretary of the Independent Arbitral and Displinary committee (FKF) and also, the head of Legal, Ethics and Integrity at the Kenya Curling Federation. He has also represented Kenya Kabaddi Union, the Judo Federation and Chess Kenya.
