The 2013 Cecafa Kagame Cup is hit by another blow as Tusker Premier League champions Tusker FC declared they will not be taking part in the event to be hosted in Darfur region in Sudan.
This was confirmed by club’s chairman Mr. James Musyoki disclosing that the club has written to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the CECAFA secretariat informing them of the decision for security fears.
“It is true; we will not play in the tournament. We have written to the federation and CECAFA informed them of our decision basing on security fears in the region we have been allocated to play our matches”, he said.
Nevertheless, Musyoki confirmed that if the tournament is shifted from Sudan or at worst Darfur to may be Khartoum, they will be ready to honour the tournament.
“We will only take part if the tournament is moved to another country or if our matches are moved to Khartoum”, he added.
The withdrawal of Tusker brings the number of clubs that have pulled out to three after Simba SC and Yanga FC of Tanzania also declared their absence following government’s order over insecurity.
Meanwhile, Cecafa head of communication Rogers Mulindwa could neither confirm nor deny the development insisting the body has not got any official communication from the clubs and their respective national Football Associations.
“I am not in position to comment on the issue”, he told Kawowo Sports.
“We have not received any formal communication to this effect neither from the clubs nor TFF or FKF. For instance, in the case of Yanga and Simba, it’s the government that refused them to take part and no such information from the clubs or TFF”.
The tournament is scheduled between June 18 and July 2 in Darfur.
As usual, we shall keep you posted on the developments.
