Nyamweya steps down from FKF presidential race
Sam Nyamweya has withdrawn his candidature for the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) presidential election which are ongoing at the Safaricom Indoor Arena, in Nairobi.
Nyamweya’s decision to bow out of the race leaves IT specialist Nick Mwendwa, Gor Mahia chairman, Ambrose Rachier, former Kenyan international Sammy Sholei and Ssemi Aina as his likely successors.
“Time has come for to serve the country in other capacities,” Nyamweya said to a standing ovation from the delegates present at the body’s Special General Meeting .
Nyamweya has served as the FKF president since 2011 when he was elected into office.
The same event will be used to elect FKF’s deputy President and the eight National Executive Committee (NEC) members.
Nairobi lawyer Robert Asembo, Doris Petra, Twaha Mbarak, Hussein Swaleh Hussein and Dan Shikanda are gunning for the seat.
SPORTS ACT
At the same time, FKF delegates have unanimously agreed to transit to the Sports Act. The federation has been operating under the Societies Act, while facing pressure from the Government to transit in accordance with the current constitution of Kenya.
The decision to abandon the Societies Act was reached upon by the 77 delegates.
“We cannot risk delaying this transition. The Government could get angry with us and deny us funding or even access to use its sports facilities,” outgoing FKF President Sam Nyamweya said.
Fifa’s head of Associations Primo Carvaro backed the move, saying any discrepancies between the laws in the Act and Fifa Statues will be dealt with at an appropriate time.
The Sports Act 2013, is a new set of rules to govern sports in Kenya. The Act among other aspects has stringent rules and penalties for those found mismanaging sports federations and clubs.
The Sports Act also has a conflict resolution mechanism in the Sports Tribunal.
