After close to five weeks of suspension, football has been handed the green light to return to action following a Presidential address on Labour Day (1 May).

During his speech to the Nation, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a raft of lifts, one being that of Sports that had been suspended in late March due to a spike in Covid-19 cases and related deaths.

In light of the Presidential announcement, the Federation has since confirmed a return of league matches and have set a tentative date of 12 May as the return date.

A communique from League Manager David Thiru read;

“Dear Clubs

His Excellency President of Kenya announced the resumption of sporting activities in the country. Subject to adherence to the new Covid 19 protocols be put in place by the Ministries of Sports and Health.

We are tentatively working with the 12th of May as the start date.

Please note that the resumption will be in full compliance with the resumption protocols mentioned above.”

The lifting of Sports suspension was well received at Nairobi City Stars and the club has called for immediate return to training.

“This is indeed very good news. We were lost during the suspension and not sure what to do. Now we can focus on an immediate return to training and the remainder of games in the season,” said team coordinator Samson Otieno

“We are now waiting for fixtures from the league managers to allow us plan our logistics accordingly.” added Samson

Following the announcement, head Coach Sanjin Alagic, who did not hide his joy after the resumption announcement, has called for return to training on Monday 3rd May.

“I really look forward to start training. I am very happy. It was boring without training and matches. We shall start training on Monday.” said Sanjin

City Stars last game was a round 16 clash with Tusker, a game that ended 2-2 on 20 March 2021.

By the time of suspension, City Stars was tenth in the 18-team log with 20 points.

After a stretched stay back in Bosnia, Nairobi City Stars head coach Sanjin Alagic is back in the country ready to continue from where he left.

Sanjin left the country on Sunday 21 March 2021, a day after leading Simba wa Nairobi to a 2-2 draw with log leaders Tusker for a scheduled week long rest and recuperation.

That however turned to a month as, during the week that he travelled, Sports in the country was suspended, among a raft of other changes, following a spike in Covid 19 deaths and cases due to what was termed the ‘third wave’.

“Following the recent vaccination process on premier league players I was hoping to return to prepare the team for immediate league resumption,” said Sanjin

“But I am informed that the game is still suspended and we can’t even assemble for training. That’s a little strange but what to do. We can only wait for things to normalize,” he added

?| Sanjin Alagic is an Important member of the @NrbCityStars side having helped them win a promotion back to the top flight league.

The side sits 10th on the log with 20 points after 16 outings#BKPL pic.twitter.com/wALgKWRnP3

— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) April 19, 2021

The coach compared the situation back home and in Kenya;

“Bosnia is also under lockdown due to a rise in corona virus cases. However, sports has not been affected and the league is still on,”

“It is therefore my hope that, just like in Bosnia, that the our league will resume in due course.”

By the time he left for recess, City Star sat tenth with 20 points from 16 rounds of play.

When the league resumes, Simba wa Nairobi will be up against champions in the 17th and final game of the first leg before venturing into second leg fixtures as well as domestic Cup games.

Nairobi City Stars head coach Sanjin Alagic in a past game in the NSL against Kenya Police at Camp Toyoyo on 29 Feb 2019

The technical bench during a match day 9 premier league tie against Sofapaka in Wundanyi on Sat 23 Jan 2021

Head coach Sanjin Alagic