The Spanish football league La Liga has signed a partnership deal with the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) to help develop the game in the East African nation.
La Liga President Javier Tebas said during a media briefing here on Thursday that the joint venture will strengthen ties and help both confederations to learn from each other.
"This relationship started last year when KPL executives visited La Liga in Madrid. Both are members of the World Leagues Forum whereby members of developing leagues grow through association and partnership with members of the world's top leagues," the La Liga president said.
The World Leagues Forum has only three African Leagues -- South Africa's Premier Football League, Nigeria Professional Football League, and Kenyan Premier League.
Tebas, who is on a two-day visit to Kenya, said the partnership is a joint venture, and is about building capacity of the Kenyan Premier League to grow the country's football.
La Liga's operations in Kenya will see KPL and local clubs exposed and accustomed to the latest trends in modern professional football management, marketing, communication, match analysis tools and software, player health and safety, evolutionary coaching, and player development techniques, among other benefits.
Under the deal, La Liga will plan annual capacity building tours for KPL executives and KPL administrators to visit La Liga clubs so as to learn and experience how they operate.
La Liga will also set up a match analysis centre and organise seminars for KPL coaches and medical personnel.
La Liga will also facilitate a Kenyan All-Star team to travel to Spain and play matches against La Liga clubs during off-season or any agreeable time.
Chairman of the Kenyan Premier League Ambrose Rachier said the impact of La Liga's presence in Kenya will be felt across all levels since through the enhancement of their popularity in Kenya, La Liga will provide capacity building support which will benefit the football fraternity.
"It, therefore, goes without saying that the Kenyan Premier League in particular and Kenyan football in general are set to benefit immensely from partnership with the best of the best in world football," Rachier noted.
La Liga, as the number one league in the world, has produced the most footballer-of-the-year winners, the most FIFA World of the Year winners, the most UEFA Champions League winners, and, either through selling or buying, is responsible for six of the top 10 most expensive transfers in world football history.
--IANS
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