Undoubtedly, soccer is the most popular recreational activity around the globe. Followed and fancied by people of all walks of life. Football is sweet. That one can never be debated. However, hooliganism has been a major setback in and outside football pitches with Kenya being one of the most affected countries.
Recently, these incidences have become rampant, escalating from bad to worse. Last weekend it reared its ugly head in a much-heated match between Wazito FC vs Kibera Black stars. Loyal and calm fans had to run for their safety as rowdy youth from Kibera started throwing stones to Wazito fans. This was after Kibera were hammered a 1-0. It was a horrible scene as ladies, some of them accompanied by their young ones scampered for their safety, an incident which saw one Wazito fan losing her purse and phone.
Tail-wagging, head-rearing violent incidences by fans during live matches, for whatever reason are a concern. They blight a promising, loved and potentially lucrative industry that is struggling to live afloat. The respective institutions seem to have turned blind eyes on this issue. In a span of five days the same incident has been on the repeat as ugly pictures of Gor mahia fans brought a match to a sudden stop in Kisumu in the game between Gor Mahia and Kariobangi Sharks.
It is my feeling that the government and Federation of Kenya Football (FKF) haven’t done enough to get this matter sorted once and for all. For how long will this happen? Is the government and FKF waiting for lives to be lost in these incidences so that it takes stringent measures to curb this? What kind of feedback do match commissioners give back to the federation after matches specific to hooliganism!
Some years back in Kenyans experienced a stampede at the Nyayo stadium. The stampede cost football fraternity one fan. One life lost is too many, it should always be the mantra, necessitating preventive measures. FIFA stepped in and the then Kenya Football Federation (KFF) was sanctioned over the same. The incident has never occurred again. This means stopping hooliganism in Kenya is possible. It only calls for FKF to discipline teams whose fans misbehave, subsequently the teams will discipline their fans.
My call is for FKF to come in before this matter gets out of hand. If it means denying fans access to their favorite team matches, let it happen until they feel it. If it means denying a team access to its home ground, let it play away games until it feels the urge of instilling discipline in the team.
Use of technology is also a major measure. All pitches should be equipped with CCTV cameras to curb those few idiots who disturb peaceful fans. Let them face the wrath of law once identified. Since they are just walking freely and can be identified, banning them from attending federation approved matches should be considered.
Football must remain beautiful, and peaceful as it is supposed to be. We do not have to go armed to a football match because we are not sure of what the opponent has carried along with him or her. Football must be played on the pitch and remain in the pitch. And it should be played within the 17 rules afforested, no additional rules.
It is my plea that this message reaches out to someone seated in an office and stringency should be embraced. Amina Mohammed and Nick mwendwa, I know your abilities. Kindly do something and beautify soccer in our country.
Special Credits to Simon Wafula and Wazito Football Club