KEFWA: “We made a plan to get three match-fixers arrested”
For a number of weeks I had been approached by a gaggle of males who stated they needed me to repair a match for them. They needed me to introduce them to gamers of Nairobi Metropolis Stars, in order that they might then – with the assistance of the gamers – repair the match. As KEFWA ambassador, there was no means that I’d do this. Nonetheless, I advised them that I’d assist them. In fact, I didn’t wish to assist them, however I needed them to belief me.
I approached KEFWA president James Situma and advised him that there have been three males who had been making an attempt to get me to repair a match for them, or to assist them repair a match. Along with James, I made a decision on a plan that might see them arrested. We approached Nairobi Metropolis Stars officers and we advised them. They had been glad to work with us. We labored on the plan and when the police felt they’d sufficient proof, they arrested the three individuals for making an attempt to repair matches. That was in March.
They approached me within the first place as a result of they knew that I had received into issues over match-fixing. I’m a sufferer of match-fixing. Once I was enjoying for Kakamega Homeboyz, a couple of of us had been approached by some individuals to repair a match. They needed us to play for a sure rating. We weren’t and didn’t do what the match-fixers had requested us to do. However as we had been enjoying two matches every week, we didn’t inform the membership. We simply didn’t give it some thought and we had been additionally scared as we did not know what would occur to us if we reported it.
However the match-fixers went to our membership and advised the officers that a few of their gamers had agreed to match-fixing. The officers approached FIFA and after some time, we had been advised that we had been banned for 4 years. We weren’t given a possibility to place ahead our case and after we heard concerning the punishment, it was after the attraction date. So, there was nothing we may do.
After being banned, I used to be not even allowed to coach with a workforce. I used to be sitting round at house more often than not. That’s when KEFWA approached me and invited me to go and communicate to gamers concerning the risks of match-fixing. I turned a KEFWA ambassador. I attend a variety of conferences, the place I communicate with the gamers and in addition coaches.
I counsel them how they need to react when they’re approached to repair a match. I encourage them to not change into concerned in match-fixing. I can inform them from my very own expertise how badly it could possibly have an effect on their careers. I used to be nonetheless younger after I was banned and must be enjoying soccer. I inform them that they need to think about their careers. I inform them to simply be themselves. I remind them why they’ve change into footballers and that they need to attempt to be gamers who could make issues higher. They will make issues higher by being good gamers and profitable on the sphere of play.
I feel that if I had spoken to KEFWA about match-fixing or had heard an envoy talk about it after I was approached, I’d have reacted very in a different way. I don’t suppose I’d have gotten into the identical hassle. I’d have identified that I wanted to report the matter.
In that sense, I feel the Red Button app that provides gamers the chance to anonymously report match-fixing is an important and useful software. I consider if the Pink Button had existed after I was approached, my case would have taken a unique flip.
As a KEFWA ambassador and in addition being affected immediately by match-fixing, I’d encourage all gamers to utilize the Pink Button app and for all unions to teach gamers on the usage of this reporting software. We’re doing the identical right here in Kenya for the gamers.
Match-fixing is sort of an issue in Kenya. It has had a detrimental impact on the game within the nation. We don’t need this in soccer in Kenya, it has seen the game go backwards.
One of many the explanation why there’s a drawback with match-fixing, is that the pay the gamers obtain for enjoying – even within the first division – could be very low. Gamers are tempted to earn more money.
And one of many methods they will earn more money is thru match-fixing. However it comes at an awesome price. Generally to them individually, however definitely to soccer in Kenya. For the time being, soccer within the nation isn’t actually shifting ahead. In actual fact, it’s going backwards. And match-fixing is among the causes for that.
