Broke K’Ogalo to skip victory party on coronation day
Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia have no plans for a victory party on Sunday when they will be presented with the league trophy.
Club Secretary General Ronald Ngala on Thursday told Daily Nation Sport that the fans should not expect anything special for the day, as their current financial difficulties do not allow them the luxury of staging a flamboyant ceremony.
The trophy presentation ceremony has been scheduled for Sunday at the Nyayo National Stadium where Gor Mahia will play against Muhoroni Youth on the final match day of the 2015 season.
But Ngala says that the club considers that match a “normal” one, as they are now accustomed to winning the trophy.
“We have now taken this thing (league trophy) three times in a row, so the excitement is not as much as it was in the last two years. We are looking forward to the coronation party, but we don’t have any special arrangements because we are short of finances. It will be a normal day for us,” he said.
Last year’s trophy presentation ceremony backfired after delirious fans invaded the pitch at Kisumu County Stadium after Gor Mahia floored Ushuru FC 3-1 on the final day of the season to be declared champions.
Similar scenes were witnessed in 2013 at Kasarani Stadium even as Gor Mahia lost 2-0 to KCB having already won the title with matches to spare.
Ngala hopes that the fans will demonstrate maturity in this year’s event and allow the players to enjoy their moment of glory.
MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE
But while the champions-elect remain frugal with their plans for the day, the KPL limited has made elaborate plans to ensure the team members get a memorable experience.
The first part of the programmes is scheduled for Laico Regency Hotel on Friday afternoon where the new trophy will be unveiled.
KPL Chief Executive Officer Jack Oguda has revealed that Gor Mahia will keep the old silverware, and that they will be presented with a newly designed 12kg trophy that has just arrived from Italy.
“We had a planning meeting with the league sponsors and Gor Mahia officials on Wednesday, and it was agreed that there needs to be a proper event where the players can get to have their time with the trophy,” Oguda said.
“We have also made plans for enhanced security at the venue since we don’t want the fans to hijack the ceremony,” he said.
The presentation of the trophy will be jointly presided over by Sports Cabinet Secretary Dr Hassan Wario and Cord leader Raila Odinga immediately after Sunday’s match against Muhoroni Youth at Nyayo Stadium.
Oguda also said that the company is finalizing the details of the 2015 Footballer of the Year Awards, and that the final list of nominees will be released next week.
