Caucus of K’Ogalo supporters to pay winning bonuses to players, technical bench
Lady luck has smiled on struggling Kenyan champions Gor Mahia after an amorphous group referred to as ‘Gor Mahia Augmentin Fund Direct’ (GMAF) resolved to pay players and technical bench officials match winning bonuses for the rest of the season.
GMAF Direct’s long-term goal is to own shares in Kenya’s most supported club. The group’s interim officials, led by George Ambayo as chairman and Nancy Berliloh as Secretary General, held talks with K’Ogalo chairman Ambrose Rachier with both parties making several gentleman’s agreements.
In the informal pact, GMAF will fork out Sh150,000 in allowances for the team each time K’Ogalo win. Each player on the match day sheet will earn Sh5,000 while the head coach and his assistants are due Sh10,000 whenever they mastermind a victory.
The plan takes effect today where GMAF are expected to pay allowances for the team’s resounding 3-0 beating of Nzoia Sugar last weekend.
“We had a fruitful meeting with Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier and resolved a number of key issues which, would form part of a legally binding MoU,” the group announced.
“We take over the responsibility of paying Gor Mahia’s technical bench and players’ match winning bonuses. Players eligible for bonuses are only those on match day squad.
GMAF Direct and the club will engage in joint marketing and promotional activities,” excerpts of their communiqué read.
Among the activities the group plans to raise money are developing an integrated USSD platform for membership recruitment, Short Messaging Service alerts and match day ticketing in addition to printing merchandise branded with the club’s logo for sale.
The group also hinted at K’Ogalo soon turning into a corporate mogul from the community based outfit it has been since its formation in 1968 and GMAF Direct to be given shares when the switch happens.
The club passed a new constitution last year that allows for formation of a commercial wing and the group hopes to capitalise when implementation of the constitution starts later this year.
Originators of the idea are currently recruiting members and hope to close the year with at least 2,000 members.
“This is a collective responsibility and we expect everyone to participate in idea generation. We are targeting at least 500 members by June and close the year with 2,000,” the group said on Wednesday.
