- Referees missed out on opportunities to officiate international matches
- They were not allowed as long as Kenya was suspended
- Kenya has close to seven FIFA referees
FIFA FKF referee Peter Kamaku alongside 80 of his counterparts have expressed a huge sigh of relief with the return of football as they begun a three-day mandatory Physical Endurance Test (PET) at the MISC Kasarani Annex Stadium on Tuesday.
The FKF Premier League match officials were taken through endurance and agility drills that will assess their physical ability as well as medical tests that vouch for their fitness to officiate the league matches.
Acting FKF referees manager Stephen Oduor relieved the concerns of how the FIFA ban break could cause the referees to have low match fitness.
“Despite the break caused by the FIFA ban, our referees have been active as we have been organizing fitness training for them and they have also taken the initiative to officiate amateur football matches, to keep the fitness momentum going,” opined Mr. Oduor.
FIFA FKF referee Peter Kamaku has expressed his elation at being able to officiate the 2022/23 season of the FKF Premier League which will kick off on Saturday, November 19, 2022.
We are physically fit
“Physically we are fit as referees as we have been keeping active and fit to ensure our match fitness is top-notch, and we are all glad to be back to officiate the FKF premier league matches once again,” added Mr. Kamaku.
A total of 41 FKF PL match commissioners and assessors were also taken through integrity classes and coach accreditation training.
The FKF PL PET training will culminate on Thursday and afterward, the FKF National Super League match officials will follow suit on November 22, and November 24. Thereafter, FKF Division One League referees will have their day between November 28, and November 30.
There has been a huge relief from referees with the imminent lifting of Kenya’s suspension from international football, as they will now be able to officiate matches globally.
Kenya was suspended in February by FIFA due to government interference after former Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed disbanded the Federation.
Namwamba restores Federation
However, new minister Ababu Namwamba has reinstated the governing body and upon reception of the communication, FIFA is expected to lift Kenya’s suspension immediately.
“We have lost quite a bit during those few months because there are so many tournaments we missed. But it is a delight to be back and hopefully we can compete to be among the best,” said Kamaku.
His sentiments were shared by Assistant Referee Mary Njoroge who said; “It has been a really tough period for referees but we are delighted to be back.
The FKF Premier League begins this weekend, with the rest of the leagues expected to roll on by the end of the month.
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