By Baluu Wol Makuach – KANERE Volunteer Writer, September 2021
Strong calls are being made for the Kakuma Premier League (KPL) Board to suspend Naath Football Club (FC) following an injury to an Okapi FC fan last weekend during their first league loss of the season.
Naath FC risks KPL suspension for the 2021/2022 season if they fail to identify the perpetrators of an attack on Okapi FC fans on Saturday 31st of July, a matter that could lead to police arrest.
In a letter issued to Naath FC, the KPL secretariat condemned Naath FC and requested that they identify the fans who attacked Okapi FC supporters, or consider the season void.
When interviewed by KANERE, Naath FC centre back King Luu questioned the football rule invoked by the KPL Board to suspend Naath FC from the league due to the unregistered fans’ misconduct.
“According to FIFA, there is no rule that indicates any misconduct from fans will lead to the suspension or forfeiting of the three points or three matches, I think that is awkward. The only thing they need to say is that this Okapi fan has been harmed by Naath fans, so what you need to do is to take charge of the medical bills. That can be the solution”, said the former Kakuma United player.
According to the letter stamped and signed by the KPL secretariat, Naath FC must identify the perpetrators before the 9th of August. In the meantime, they will automatically lose the 3 matches in a forfeit. The letter also directs the Naath FC Board to stop their fans from attending match days, ending on the 9th of August.
“I think that one will not be possible because we don’t call them, they come by themselves. If they have heard we will have the match, they will participate unless KPL provides us with security such as the police who will make sure that there are no fans watching the game. Alternatively, they should move our games to Lodwar.” Said King Luu.
Naath FC, three times KPL winners and defending champions, currently enjoy first position on the league table, having lost only one game this season. KANERE spoke with King Luu to understand the situation in Naath FC’s football camp following the letter issued to them by the KPL secretariat.
“I have read the letter and to my surprise, I think [it] is a threat, but our reaction was to write another letter asking to meet with the KPL secretariat.” Said Luu.
On Sunday 1st of August 2021, following this attack on the Okapi fans, Fizi FC boycotted a match scheduled with All-Stars, citing insecurity. Three points were awarded to All-Stars FC in a forfeit.
The evening of Friday 6th of August, the KPL secretariat shared a message via WhatsApp suspending the league until further notice. KANERE can confirm that the suspension of the league is due to the withdrawal of all four teams.
Kakuma Premier League is suspended as violence continues to escalate
On the 2nd of August, the four KPL football clubs that identify as the teams from the Great Lake regions jointly wrote a letter to the KPL football association, signed and stamped by the four secretaries from their respective clubs, demanding withdrawal from the league. The aforementioned teams are Lamasia FC, Okapi FC, Fizi FC, and Virunga FC.
The reason for their withdrawal, according to the letter seen by KANERE, was citing fans and players’ security. According to these clubs, they have always been cautious when playing against the South Sudanese and Sudanese clubs.
In the letter, the clubs said they would listen to feedback from the KPL, on the condition that the matters they raise are addressed.
After the suspension, Mr. Isaac Lameck, KLABU manager said the Kakuma Premier League should be entirely inclusive if the league wanted to avoid violence during games. Footballers playing in Kakuma Premier League are loyal to the clubs that carried 100% of their country of origin.
“It is not good to have clubs formed under one ethnic group, we need to have teams formed under different ethnic groups. The standard needs to be set: South Sudanese, Congolese, Ethiopians, and Sudanese, including the host, must not play alone. Playing alone as players from the same country can set a precedent and that will probably divide the fans.: Said KLABU Manger, Mr. Isaac
“So, integrating players into teams irrespective of their country of origin, since the common language will be Swahili, will unite the teams and so fans will automatically be united as well.” Mr. Isaac added
KLABU is one of the organizations offering support to refugees in Kalobeyei with sporting gear; jerseys, socks, boots, footballs and much more sports equipment, with the aim to expand and grow peace and harmony in the area. KLABU also takes part in supporting the LWF- and UNHCR-run Kakuma Premier League.
LWF through the meeting conducted on the 12th August, called on the clubs to adjust players’ registration to create an all-inclusive club citing concern that, the KPL players in their respective clubs share common background arguing that the donors are pulling out of the league because of the violence. The league now demands strictly 30 players per teams with 20% of players from different community ethnic wise.
On the 10th of August, LWF, the governing body for the Kakuma Premier League, wrote a letter inviting the club’s coaches or a representative from each club to attend the resolution meeting, scheduled for Thursday the 12th of August. The letter was written through the Department of Protection by Joseph Wakesa, the OIC Protection.
The meeting is to be held at the LWF cafeteria at 9am, with matters affecting the league prioritized as the top agenda. This is the first official communication from the LWF after suspending Naath FC Games on the 3rd of August, before the Great Lake region clubs pulled out of the league.
Kakuma Premier League has resume since Wednesday September 8th following the successful meeting held Thursday, August 12th, at the LWF cafeteria which was conducted by the LWF and its partners, as the temporary suspension by KPL governing body being reconsidered.
During these meetings pertinent challenges addressed are player’s transportation to away matches which is currently being implemented.