Coach of Kenyan giants Gor Mahia, Steven Polack says he is not prepared to play the 10 matches left in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) if he is not guaranteed his safety.
Polack blamed the KPL for their lack of decision making on the league season, stating that they should have had a backup plan.
“KPL should have held a meeting and unleashed a secret card to seal this matter after the government extended the curfew recently. Personally, I am very careful with my health and I will not be coaching if the league will resume. In any case I am not convinced of the safety measures put in place,” Polack said.
“I don’t think we have the capacity to test twice a week, fumigate the field before every match and sanitize the buses. Most of our players use public transport and it will be hard to manage the situation,” he added.
Polack made the statement after nine clubs petitioned the Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT) of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) stating their lack of support towards the resumption of the league due to their financial constraints.
The KPL and Chemelil Sugar went to the SDT challenging FKF President Nick Mwendwa’s declaration of Gor Mahia as champions of the KPL in April 30.
Polack said the KPL should not make decisions based on those of other countries who have the financial muscle to resume their league.
“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 added.
The Briton went on to say that Gor Mahia should be handed the league trophy instead of nullifying the league.
“Nullification is not an option for me because of the expenses incurred by clubs in the 23 matches. However, if it will be the decision taken, I wouldn’t appeal in courts but just respect it,” he said.
The KPL was suspended due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and are yet to decide to either resume or cancel the league season.
