National Super League (NSL) teams have asked the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to intervene and offer an extension on the CAF Club Licensing Portal that is set to close on July 31, 2024.In a bid to promote professionalism in the second tier, FKF, in collaboration with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), set criteria and minimum standards that clubs must meet to be licensed and, consequently, participate in the competition.##NAJAVA_MECA_8234541##Mozzart Sport had earlier reported that, starting in September, no team would be allowed to take part in the second division if they had not met the minimum criteria set by the football governing bodies.In response to the demands, NSL chairmen on Friday night during the FKF Award gala held in a Nairobi hotel engaged the federation, pleading with them to seek an extension from CAF as well as ease some of the demands.“We had a meeting with FKF on Friday and asked them to extend the deadline since most teams are still doing their transfer business, The demands are too high for club’s despite being a good initiative; we need some time to implement it fully, We can’t do everything at once,” said Yusuf Swaleh Darajani Gogo, President.Football Kenya Federation tightens stance on National Super League Club LicensingThe federation is expected to revert on Monday, 24 hours before the CAF deadline.“We expect an answer from them on Monday, then we will proceed to have a virtual meeting together, but we believe in them and we are sure an agreement will be reached; FKF cannot allow teams to suffer under their watch,” he added.Meanwhile, most of the chairmen who spoke to Mozzart Sport expressed their preparedness for the new requirements but had reservations about some aspects of the club licensing policy.For instance, many questioned why they should be obliged to have a women’s team when it was not part of their initial plan when they decided to invest in football.“CAF and FKF are doing a great job; we want a professional league and we are on the right track but not everything on the policy should be forced on us, Why tell an NSL team to form or adopt a women’s team when initially the owner never had plans to invest in such a league or team? So, things are what should be looked at,” stated Samwest Blackboots chairman Isaac Mwaura.“We are ready as Luanda Villa; let the games begin,” added Villa head Moses Abwanje.While some have shown readiness, four of the twenty NL teams are finding it rough and are expected to rebrand before the official release of the Super League calendar in the coming weeks.“We can no longer do this; the league itself is struggling and you are adding more costs in the name of making the league better. Are you making it better or killing the game and clubs for the good?” Questioned a club honcho.Stars Abroad: Zak Onyego features in Bristol City’s win over Exeter CityBelow are the five club licensing criterion pillars:SPORTING CRITERIA1. A Youth Development Plan2. A Youth Team3. A Women’s Team (Owned or adopted)4. Medical Cover for Players5. Medical Examination Report for playersINFRASTRUCTURE1. Proof of stadium ownership or a lease agreement2. Proof of a training facility or a lease agreementPERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATION CRITERIA1. 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 Coach11. Goalkeeper Trainer12. Head of Youth Development13. Club Licensing Online Platform Officer14. Head of Stewards15. Team Manager16. Safeguarding OfficerLEGAL CRITERIA1. Letter of Declaration for participation in FKF Leagues and Competitions2. Club’s Approved Statutes3. Club’s Organogram4. Certificate of Registration or a CR 125. Declaration concerning ownership or control of the club6. A list of all club officials and board members7. Players’ contractsFINANCIAL CRITERIA1. Club Bank Account2. Club Annual Budget3. A declaration confirming the absence or existence of overdue payables4. Payment Plans/Agreements (If any)COMMUNICATION, MARKETING, AND COMMERCIALIZATION CRITERIA1. Marketing and Communications Plan2. Official Communication Channels and Social Media Handles3. A Branding Strategy4. Declaration to comply with data protection laws and regulations in Marketing Strategies5. A written Strategy Demonstrating the Club’s Fan engagement, Commercialization, and Revenue Generation Plan
