Former Harambee Stars captain Dennis Oliech has emphasized the urgent need for enhanced player welfare in Kenyan football, highlighting better salaries and increased grassroots investment as key to developing future stars.
Speaking at a recent football forum, Oliech pointed out that many gifted players struggle due to poor pay and insufficient support, which hampers their career growth. He called on corporate sponsors to step up and fund clubs and players to create financial stability.
Oliech stated:
- "For our young upcoming and even current footballers to have better careers, we need to support them starting locally. We have big corporates that can sponsor our clubs and players so that footballers can earn better salaries."
- He believes that higher salaries would motivate players to remain in the FKF Premier League, enhancing competition and reducing the early migration of talent abroad.
Moreover, Oliech stressed the importance of nurturing talent at the grassroots level, where many promising players lack adequate facilities and resources. Investing here, he said, is crucial for building a strong national team in the long term.
He also urged young footballers to maintain discipline, emphasizing that talent must be complemented by dedication and professionalism to sustain successful careers.
Reflecting on progress made, Oliech acknowledged improvements in player support under recent Football Kenya Federation administrations, crediting leaders like Nick Mwendwa and Hussein Mohammed for advancing the national team's welfare.
His comments come amid ongoing discussions on reforms aimed at enhancing the development and competitiveness of Kenyan football.
