- The Gor Mahia boss coach Steven Polack urges the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) to consider strict health measures on players and technical bench members if the government gives the green light for the sporting activities to resume.
The boss fears that the early resumption of the Premier League could take a chance on the health and fitness of the players. As the case regarding completing the season is being handled by the Sports Dispute Tribunal, the clubs await the final verdict.
The coach insists that KPL should prioritize the well-being of the players as this is a matter of life and death. He understands that this is an expensive process considering the extent of the cash crisis that most clubs in the Kenyan league are facing.
“KPL organisers should have met and given us the way forward to put the matter to rest after the government extended the 21-day curfew recently. I am mindful of my health and I will not be coaching should the league resume without proper safety measures being put in place,” Polack explained.
Eyes of the sporting world are on Germany’s Bundesliga resuming behind the closed door. Polack highlights the fact that we do not have the financial muscle that Germany has to resume the league.
“I don’t think we have the capacity to test twice a week, fumigate the field before every match and to sanitise the buses. Most of our players use public transport and will be hard to manage the situation,” he explained.
“We should not just follow decision taken by other countries who have the financial muscle to complete their matches amidst this pandemic. Financial challenges are still with us but I can confirm Gor Mahia is not among the clubs which wrote to FKF,” he said.
The boss is ready to respect KPL’s decision on the league but makes it clear that he does not want the current season to be declared null.
“Nullification is not an option for me because of the expenses incurred by clubs in the 23 matches.” Polack added.