Former Kenya Premier League champions Gor Mahia have humbled themselves and apologized to the Ministry of Sports following their misleading information published early this month concerning the prize money awarded after their victory against AFC leopards in the Madaraka Day Cup.
Last week, the ministry of Sports had ordered the club to apologize for misleading the public about the prize money.
Today, in a signed letter by Gor chairman Ambrose Rachier stated that they are sorry for the misinformation.
“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,” read part of the letter.
Gor beat Leopards 5-4 in spots after a 1-1 draw, in normal time and were awarded ksh one million.
Through that, a signed by Ministry of Sports Principal Secretary Mike Kimoko, demanded an apology from Gor secretary general Sam Ochola for misleading the public in regards to the prize money.
Rachier’s letter continued: “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 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..
“The Government through the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage offered a cash prize of 1 Million and 0.5 Million to winner and runners-up respectively to the two teams which participated in the Madaraka Day Celebrations Derby on 1st June, 2022,”
“Gor Mahia FC won the match and AFC Leopards became runners-up, hence Gor Mahia received a cash prize of Kshs.1 Million and AFC Leopards got a cash prize of Kshs.0.5 Million,” read the statement.
“The money was wired directly to the respective club accounts on 3rd June, 2022 at 12.00 pm in line with Government procedures against heated demand from some club officials that the payment should be in cash,”
“Both the Chairman of the two clubs were at all times briefed on the procedures of the cash prize payments and you as the Chairman of Gor Mahia FC indeed confirmed the reflection of the cash prize amount in your club accounts on 6th June, 2022,” it continued.
“It is therefore not only alarmist, obnoxious and irresponsible but also besmirching for the official of your club in the position of Secretary General to misinform the general public and football lovers on the position of the payment of cash prize,