By Fredrick Nadulli,

If trophies,success,controversy and a near fanatical following are a yardstick with which a club is measured,Kenya champions Gor Mahia have virtually no peer.They stand alone like a collosus.Like the proverbial phoenix that rose from the ashes,they have had their grey moments and each time they have bounced back stronger.

Founded in 1968,they are without doubt Kenya’s most famous club.Granted,all superlatives may be used to describe this great club,but the foundations on which Gor stands are nothing to write home about.

SPONSORSHIP and/or ENDORSEMENTS

With their massive following,Gor Mahia is a brand that can make any corporate salivate for marketing strategies.Until March this year,the club had a healthy deal with a giant milk company.On expiry of contract the sponsor opted out.Up till today the club has been unable to produce audited reports of their books.

There are no tangible records to show how the money was spent.Worse,the club collects huge amounts from gate receipts to supplement their budget.These too cannot be accounted for.Is it any wonder potential sponsors are shying away?The club is mired in the murky waters of non-accountability.

As a stop-gap measure they resorted to extend a begging bowl to fans,sympathisers and anybody who cares.For how long.There is no sustainability in such endeavours.

HALL OF FAME

For a club thats been in existance for almost half a century,Gor is in the league of the likes of TP Mazembe,Asec Abidjan and Etoile du Sahel.Sadly,not even a 1 room structure stands as the club’s secretariat/clubhouse.Nobody knows where their numerous trophies are displayed or even where their rich history and archives can be perused.Its a crying shame.Meanwhile,their continental peers have talent academies,youth structures and even jets to fly their teams around.Club houses are a norm rather than an exception.

WHICH WAY NOW?

The club must move with the times and professionalise their operations.They must put in place independent and transparent institutions to oversee crucial operations like finance,marketing,auditing,merchandising etc.If these are overlooked,all new office bearers will inherit the same old challenges,see out their term,leave and pave the way for another takeover.A vicious circle that will take them nowhere,until kingdom come.

N/B The Writer is a Former Kenyan International and Mathare United player

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com