By Nelson Musungu, Bungoma
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has warned sponsors and organizers of football tournaments, particularly at the grassroots level, against flouting federation regulations by failing to reward winning teams.
Speaking during the launch of the sixth edition draw of the Waziri Cup Tournament in Webuye town, Bungoma County, FKF Western Region Coordinator Caleb Amwayi expressed concern that some organizers have delayed or completely failed to issue prizes to victorious teams, terming the practice a violation of FKF’s rules.
Amwayi said the federation will take disciplinary action against any organizers found breaching the regulations, noting that such cases discourage players and undermine the spirit of fair competition.
“We have observed a worrying trend where some sponsors fail to reward teams after promising prizes. This contravenes FKF’s regulations, and we will not tolerate it,” he said.
To enhance accountability and protect players’ rights, Amwayi revealed that the federation has introduced new guidelines requiring sponsors to submit prizes to FKF before the tournaments begin.
“The new rules compel sponsors to hand over awards in advance to ensure that players receive their rightful prizes. This will help prevent cases where teams are denied what they have fairly earned,” he added.
Amwayi further emphasized the role of such tournaments in promoting youth development, reducing drug abuse, and keeping young people engaged in positive activities.
“Football at the grassroots level is not just about competition—it is about nurturing discipline, promoting unity, and offering young people an alternative to social vices,” he noted.
Waziri Cup Patron, Salim Waziri, echoed Amwayi’s sentiments, highlighting the tournament’s importance in empowering youth and supporting the community during the long school holidays.
“This initiative gives our young people a platform to showcase their talent while staying away from harmful activities. We will follow FKF rules by rewarding all participating teams according to their performance,” Waziri said.
He announced that the winning team will receive KSh 100,000, the runners-up KSh 70,000, and the third-placed team KSh 50,000. Other participating teams will also receive monetary rewards and sports kits.
Waziri added that the 6th edition of the tournament will feature multiple sports disciplines, including football, rugby, and basketball, with a total of 56 teams, among them girls’ teams, set to participate.
