Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier clubs will be expected to adapt to structured financial operations in order to survive the future realities of Management.

The issue came up during the second day of training workshop by FIFA on Club Professionalisation and Management Programme with a focus on Finance & Budgeting.

FIFA Head of Development Programmes in Africa Solomon Mudege who spoke to People Sport on the sidelines of the event stated that it was imperative that compliance with standards was key in keeping with modern management operations.

“We want to give a better understanding of financial management processes to clubs.The FIFA Forward Programs are essential in areas of audit and credit.It is all about giving skills and knowledge and therefore the need for creating financial statements and reports is key in streamlining operations in clubs.It is good Corporate governance to see how clubs are run.”

He added; “The issue of Club licensing as a Management tool is critical.This will assist the teams and league to run things better. Certain projects must be dictated by vote especially when finances is involved. The aspect therefore of player development and youth programs are critical even when budgeting because in the long run a club can be able to sustain itself. We therefore encourage the development of such programs that tie with financial prudence,” he added.

AFC Leopards SC Chairman Dan Shikanda on his part stressed about the value of balancing objectives against resources available.

“As it is finances are tight and wage bill is a problem.This is the reality and the training just helps us think outside the box.For a community club like ours we are often found in debt but still need to come up with a plan for sustainability.To stay relevant in our football,we need experienced players and this is a cost in itself.About 80% of our monies go to salaries so it is difficult as it is to be viable and yet now we have an extra baggage of youth and women which triple our budgets,”he stated.

“For our case,we have accrued obligations like pay for former players,merchandising agencies and also legal fees and this is expensive.It is difficult to balance but we just have to find solutions.Football is a unique business and sometimes for local clubs we resort to fundraising or even take bank overdrafts.