Sports

Gor Mahia issues apology to government over Ksh 1M blunder

Friday, June 17th, 2022 20:43 | By
Gor Mahia’s George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo (left) vies for the ball against Brian Wanyama of AFC Leopards during their Madaraka Day Cup clash at Nyayo Stadium. PHOTO/Rodgers Ndegwa
Gor Mahia’s George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo (left) vies for the ball against Brian Wanyama of AFC Leopards during their Madaraka Day Cup clash at Nyayo Stadium. PHOTO/Rodgers Ndegwa

19-times Kenya champions Gor Mahia have sent an official apology to the government of Kenya for the confusion created by a club official over the Ksh 1 million reward that was given to the team following their Madaraka Day Cup triumph over bitter rivals AFC Leopards.
The match played on June 1 ended in a 1-1 draw before Gor Mahia emerged triumphant in post-match penalties.
Being an exhibition match, the government gave Gor Mahia Ksh 1 million for the win and Ksh 500,000 to AFC Leopards.
Three days later, K’Ogalo secretary general Sam Ochola went in public criticizing the government for not giving the club Ïts prize money”a statement that did not go well within the Ministry of Sports.

In a letter signed by Ministry of Sports Principal Secretary Mike Kimoko, the Government of Kenya slammed Gor Mahia’s secretary general Sam Ochola for misleading the public in regards to the prize money. According to Ochola, the record Kenyan champions had ‘not received’ the Ksh 1 million won on June 1.
Ochola in a letter said, "The government through the Ministry of Sports, Culture, and Heritage offered a cash prize of Ksh. 1 million and Ksh. 500,000 to the winner and runners-up respectively to the two teams which participated in the Madaraka Day celebrations derby on 1st June 2022."
Kimoko in a rejoinder said that the money had already been wired into the Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards accounts.
However, Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier in a letter dated Thursday June 16 said that the club was”sorry for the misinformation” confirming that they had received the money in full.

Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier and his AFC Leopards compatriot Dan Shikanda during a press conference mid this year in Nairobi. Photo/PD/David Ndolo


Part of the letter read, "We refer to the statement by our Secretary-General and published in the social media in which he indicated that the prize money had not been released to us ‘under unclear circumstances’ thus insinuating ill motive on the part of the government officer entrusted with the handling of the funds. We write to apologize to the officer(s) concerned for this statement and to confirm that as at the date of the publication of this statement, the chairman of the club had already been informed of the fact that the money in question had been deposited into our club account,"
Rachier’s letter added: "We appreciate the good gesture of the government of the Republic of Kenya through the ministry of sports culture and heritage in organizing the above derby and giving us an opportunity to participate in such worthy cause. The prize money earned has indeed benefited the club, generally and our players and technical staff in particular." According to the football club, they had not received the cash reward by June 1 forcing them to inquire from the Ministry of Sports.

https://twitter.com/OfficialGMFC/status/1532394080549871618

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