By Samuel Ouma
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has adopted the FKF Women Club Licensing Regulations, which will go into effect in the 2024-25 season to improve women’s football.
Club licensing is a set of rules established by the Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) to ensure that football clubs competing in CAF competitions meet specific standards.
These standards cover various areas, including sports, facilities, administration, legal issues, and finances.
The goal is to ensure that clubs are well-rounded and meet specific requirements to compete in CAF competitions.
“The FKF Women Club Licensing Regulations focus on improving infrastructural requirements. Clubs will now be required to meet infrastructure standards, including stadium availability, training facilities, and office space. This is to ensure women’s football clubs’ facilities are on par with global standards,” said FKF.
The new regulations also emphasize player welfare and youth development. They establish standards for medical care, implement safety policies, and form youth teams.
The goal is to create a positive environment for players during games and overall well-being.
The rules additionally create a new structure for women’s football clubs. It is now mandatory to have key roles such as a general manager, team manager, physiotherapist, head coach, and female coach. This creates a well-organized and supportive environment for women’s football teams.
Furthermore, clubs must now have separate bank accounts for women’s football transactions and submit audited annual financial statements to ensure transparency and accountability, promoting financial stability.
“The regulations require clubs to submit legal documents proving their legitimacy. Ownership and control are scrutinized to ensure there are no conflicting interests. Contracts with professional players must adhere to FIFA regulations, and clubs are encouraged to forge formal agreements between men’s and women’s football entities,” added FKF.
