Why Thika Utd should move some of their home games

It became readily apparent during the Sunday duel between Kogalo and hosts Thika United that the Thika municipal stadium des not have the seating capacity to host a game pitting a crowd pulling side like Kogalo. Due to its sub optimal capacity, many fans who had coughed up ksh 300 were forced to watch the game by peeking through the chain link fence. Add to this the fact that the playing surface was fit for cross country running and one is left wondering what exactly the Thika municipal council does with the money raised at the gate.

Of late some KPL teams such as Chemelil and Muhoroni have been asked to move some of their home games to alternate stadia when their usual stadia were deemed insufficient. Thika United is a prime candidate. And the Kasarani stadium would be a perfect fit. All parties involved would benefit.

How would Thika United benefit ?
By moving to Kasarani, they can raise far more money from the gate. Kasarani is closer to the city centre and would thus would automatically attract more fans. There is also the fact that Kasarani offers a comfortable viewing experience. Even neutrals who support other teams other than Gor Mahia would consider attending the match for these two reasons. And Kasarani is close enough to Thika to be essentially a second home.

How would KPL and Supersport benefit ?
Kasarani due to its size offers a better viewpoint for television cameras. It is also cheaper for Supersport to televise matches at a stadium that already has some built in infrastructure. And since the playing surface at Kasarani is better maintained, the quality of play will be much higher which means the TV audience will be more inclined to watch.

How would Gor Mahia benefit ?
A better, well maintaned playing surface will enable Gor Mahia and other teams to play their natural game and avoid injuries. Fans will have a better viewing experience instead having to watch the match standing up and peeking through a chain link fence. Fans will therefore attend Kogalo matches in larger numbers.

Look at those fans: This is not an ideal way to watch a game

Stadia management boards

It is in the interests of SSMB should lobby and promote its venues by offering incentives to teams like Thika and Tusker to stage some of their ome games at Kasarani. This could mean a lot more money into the coffers. It could also lead to company paying for naming rights to the stadium.

If not Kasarani, another option is the Bata stadium in Limuru which would offer KPL the opportunity to spread the game to alternative audiences and give teams like Gor Mahia, Thika and Tusker an opportunity to win over new fans.

Football as a business
The economic impact of traveling football fans cannot be gainsaid. Gor Mahia fans in particular have become the unofficial sponsors of the Kenya premier league. They create a financial windfall for businessmen wherever the club is playing. Business owners in Thika can attest to this. The effect of traveling fans is felt all over the world which is why cities all over the world have no qualms about spending money to upgrade their stadia.

The Thika municipal council like other councils all over the country have yet to come to terms with this. Hardly any upgrades have been done to that stadium since the 1980s when players like Mahila and Kheri played their for KTM. Moving key games to Kasarani would give Thika residents a wake up call. Chances are that the loss of business would spur some of the local business owners to pressure the bigwigs to spend some of the money raised at the gate to perform some upgrades on the stadium.

Other sports and events
And why stop at football. A stadium with a well maintained playing surface and decent terraces can attract other sports. Rugby in particular has of late spread its wings to non-traditional venues. Mumias complex recently hosted one of the 4 super series franchises including matches against Ugandan teams. Note that Mumias was chosen ahead of Kisumu despite that fact that Kisumu has more rugby fans. Why ? The Kisumu stadium is in horrendous shape. Thika being strategically located near the capital has a chance to host a future super series franchise or a sevens tournament. And if you have attended a sevens tournament in Kenya you know they are well attended. They could be yet another financial boon for local businesses.

Long story short, the economic impact of sports has yet to be realized in Kenya due to short sightedness of municipal officials.