Mombasa County Pledges Stronger Support for Football Development

Mombasa County Pledges Stronger Support for Football Development

Mombasa County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Sports, Hon. Jonathan Wepukhulu, held a consultative meeting with FKF Mombasa County Branch officials led by Chairman Al Amin Abdalla to address key challenges affecting football development in the region.

During the meeting, Chairman Al Amin highlighted several pressing issues facing local teams, including the shortage of proper playing grounds, high transportation costs for league matches, and the burden of affiliation fees. He emphasized that these challenges have hindered the smooth running and growth of grassroots and competitive football within the county.

In response, Hon. Wepukhulu assured the officials that Governor Abdulswamad Nassir’s administration has concrete plans to support local teams. Among the key proposals is a county initiative to facilitate the payment of affiliation fees for teams, easing the financial strain and enabling more clubs to participate in organized competitions.

The CECM further noted that ongoing and upcoming stadium projects  including the construction of Mombasa Municipal Stadium, Mwahima Stadium, and Ziwani Stadium will not only boost sports development but also create employment opportunities for residents. He pointed out that engaging youth in construction work and later in sporting activities will help address social challenges such as youth involvement in crime, commonly referred to as “panga boys,” as well as drug abuse.

Additionally, Hon. Wepukhulu revealed that the county government has engaged various institutions, including the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), to help upgrade school playgrounds to acceptable standards. Once improved, these facilities will be jointly managed in collaboration with FKF through structured Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), ensuring that both schools and the wider community benefit from the upgraded infrastructure.

The meeting signals renewed collaboration between the county government and football stakeholders, offering hope for improved infrastructure, structured support, and a brighter future for football in Mombasa County.