The outspoken Wazito owner, Ricardo Badoer has called for change of the Sports Act 2013 to allow Kenyan clubs be run as limited companies.
While the law is silent on whether clubs can be operated as limited entities, the Kenyan law (Sports Act) doesn’t encourage commercialisation of sports, something Badoer believes is keeping potential investors away from the game.
“Another reminder to why we need to change the Sports Act in Kenya. It is sad when clubs are run like sh*@* and players do not get paid, Badoer twitted in response to the news that Mathare United and Sofapaka, both teams who are sponsored by leading betting companies, have not paid their players for months now.
Badoer, who announced publicly that his club will never accept sponsorship from a betting firm, also wants the government to take a back seat in running football and just provide legislative framework.
“Still the sports Act does not allow team to be limited company and this does scare investors. We need investors with passion for football to run the clubs,” Badoer said in a tweet.
“I would love to see KPL grow into one of the best leagues in Africa. We have the potential and the fans. We just need the right leaders and also keeping the government out of it.
Badoer, a Dubai-based businessman who bought Wazito in late 2018 believes that poor management is the main reason why local fans shy away from the stadium.
“No fans because the mismanagement of club funds. All clubs more or less do not pay players in time or sometimes not at all. Do you think fans want to be part of that bullshit? I can assure you a well-run Kenyan club will be able to even fill Kasarani,” he concluded.
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