UK Ambassador explains plans to avert repeat of Mariga's botched move to Man City

In February 2010, English Premier League champions Manchester City attempted to sign former Harambee Stars midfielder MacDonald Mariga but the deal did not materialize.

At the time, Mariga’s anticipated move to the Cityzens fell through because of a work permit issue.  A fee of around £7 million had been agreed between City and Serie A side Parma before everything collapsed.

During the negotiations phase, Harambee Stars’ FIFA ranking always emerged as a hindrance block for Mariga to join the side which is now coached by Pep Guardiola.

Addressing the issue, British High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan noted that it was quite unfortunate for the deal to collapse at the last minute.

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He noted that currently, the UK government is working to ease restrictions blocking talents and other professionals from working in the UK.

Besides removing restrictions, Neil Wigan noted that a group of Kenyans living in the diaspora met with King Charles and his wife Queen Camilla before they made a state visit to Kenya from 31 October to 3 November 2023, hosted by the President of Kenya William Ruto.

During the meeting, the issue was highlighted.

"We still encourage talented Kenyans who want to study and to work in the UK to come and we are extremely open to that. We would really like to see young Kenyans talented at everything to have opportunities in the UK," he stated during an interview on Citizen TV.

"There is a very lively Kenyan Diaspora. The King met them and he was very impressed by the talent that he saw," Wigan indicated.

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How Kenya can emulate the English Premier League

British High Commissioner has also backed Kenya to pick a few lessons from the English Premier League in developing the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL).

Neil Wigan noted that most of the clubs competing in the English Premier League have well-developed working structures that support football activities. He noted that the same approach can be emulated by local football clubs.

Besides proper management, Neil noted that EPL focuses on giving a platform to the best talents. This, he argued makes the league more competitive. The High Commissioner observed that the same strategy can be employed in the country to develop the Football Kenya Federation Premier League.

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Moreover, Neil advised the country to focus on talent management which he indicated has helped the English Premier League to become among the most watched and followed football leagues in the world.

Further, he encouraged the country to diversify talent by allowing other foreign countries to sign for local leagues, a similar structure used by the English Premier League.

"Openness to talent across the world, that is you take the best talent and let it work on its own system. To be in the Premier League you have to be the best in the world and that always encourages people to up their game," Neil stated.

"So it is really focused on merit and talent," he insisted.

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