Harambee Stars Head Coach Engin Firat has not been paid salary for eight months. The Turkish tactician today told www.mediaguru.co.ke that it was difficult for anyone to go for eight months without pay, but said he hoped his dues would be settled soon.
The Government through the Ministry of Sports on June 9 gave an assurance of clearing the delayed salary of Firat as well as members of his technical bench.
Whilst it has been a norm for the state to cater for the salaries of the national football team coaches, Firat is yet to receive his payments.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba while presenting a cheque to the national team on June 9 to facilitate the team’s participation in a Four-Nations tournament in Mauritius, expressed his desire to get the pending dues settled, noting that there is a framework to ensure the national team tactician is well taken care of towards achieving an immediate and long term target of getting Harambee Stars to the 2025 African Cup of Nations and 2026 FIFA World Cup respectively.
“I am fully aware of the government obligations towards our national football teams and I can assure you that we are working closely to play our role that includes paying the team’s head coach and his assistants so that they can prepare our teams accordingly.
I am optimistic that everything will be fine since it is a matter being taken care of,” said Namwamba.
