AFC Leopards’ warring factions make peace
By DAVID KWALIMWA
The Sports Dispute Tribunal has ordered the two warring factions at AFC Leopards to unite and lay out a roadmap on how to resume normal operations and consequently organize for fresh elections by April.
This development could bring to an end a long drawn power struggle at the club that stretches back three years.
“We need a peaceful environment that will enable our youth go back to the stadium to entertain us with this beautiful game,” the tribunal’s vice chairperson Elynah Shiveka said while addressing members of the two factions on Tuesday.
Other members also present during the ruling which was read at the tribunal’s offices at NSSF building, Nairobi, were Luke Luseno (CEO), Gabriel Ouko, Peter Ochieng’ Maria Kimani and Njeri Onyango (members).
The Tribunal also offered to facilitate the mediation process.
“It is a fair ruling and we shall obey it,” the club’s former secretary general Asava Kadima said.
“This is not what we wished for but that is what we shall work with,” Suleiman Angulu, the secretary general of the splinter group said.
INTERIM MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
The warring factions are led by Matthews Opwora, Okiya Dindi and Maurice Murunga on one side against Kadima, Dan Mule, Peter Lichungu, Walter Onyino, Stephen Mungo, Pamela Luttah, Allan Kasavuli and George Aladwa on the other side.
For the last few months, each of these factions has claimed to be the bonafide office bearers of the club.
“The (two) camps shall within seven (7) days of the date hereof (on Tuesday) each provide names of three persons who shall institute an Interim Management Committee (IMC),” the 19 page ruling read.
The interim committee, which will comprise a mediator, has been tasked with fundraising, recruitment and signing of players in readiness for new season and negotiating for sponsorships.
The committee will also be required to open and operate bank accounts, verify membership, amend club constitution where necessary, constitute an electoral committee and most importantly organize the club elections.