This archive report was first published on 29 June 2021.
Gor Mahia, the defending champions of the Football Kenya Premier League, are facing a dire financial situation due to the effects of Covid-19, which has greatly affected the economy and the sporting industry.
According to a statement issued by secretary-general Samuel Ochola, the club has called on fans, friends, stakeholders, and well-wishers to join hands and help save it from its financial struggles.
‘This threat has brought our mighty club GMF to its knees and created serious financial strains as we tackle the second leg of the football season,' Ochola said in part of the club's statement.
The club has set up a fund dubbed the ‘GMFC 2 Million Dollar Harambee’ to help bridge its financial shortfall through fan support. The funds will be used to clear salary arrears for both present and former players, coaches, and to meet short-term current working capital obligations.
Chairman Ambrose Rachier said the club had studied various financial models adopted by successful football clubs around the globe and resolved to adopt a hybrid of some of these benchmarks and to roll out a fundraising scheme that should ensure the financial sustainability of the club in the future.
‘The main source of the funds shall primarily be the club members, supporters, and any other well-wishers,' Rachier said. ‘The mode of collection shall be by remittance to a new designated Safaricom paybill number 4025683, Account No. Gor Mahia FC.'
Gor Mahia are currently fourth on the league table and in the next month’s FKF Cup finals against arch-rivals AFC Leopards. Should they beat Ingwe, Gor will represent the country in next season’s CAF Confederations Cup.
