Former Kenyan international McDonald Mariga, a Champions League and Serie A winner with Inter Milan, has outlined his ambitions to change the fortunes of Kenyan footballers after throwing his hat into the race for the Football Kenya Federation leadership.
Mariga has teamed up with Hussein Mohammed and will be his running mate for the Kenyan Federation elections set for December this year. Perhaps inspired by his former Milan teammate Samuel Eto’o, who is currently the Federation boss in Cameroon, Mariga is confident that his experience will help the country.
Speaking exclusively to Telecomasia.net, Mariga says he is ready to help the Kenyan game:
I have been in football all my life. I wanted to do this before, but I was kept away because I had joined politics. But I believe now is the right time to give back to football. I have spoken to a lot of people, including my parents, who have represented the national team and they have backed my decision. I have also had talks with Hussein and our visions align, so that is why we decided to team up.
McDonald Mariga
The former Harambee Stars captain further told Telecomasia.net that his biggest ambition is to improve the welfare of players to get rid of vices like match fixing.
My biggest ambition is to improve the welfare of the players and this will happen if we have better sponsorships for our leagues. I would also want to introduce a salary cap in our top leagues because if our players are paid well, then definitely we will improve the integrity of our leagues.
McDonald Mariga exclusively for Telecom Asia Sport
Nine candidates have so far shown interest in the FKF top seat, with the elections set for December 7.