The Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of information, Communications and Digital Economy Eliud Owalo has called on former footballer to form groups to venture into income generating activities in their retirement instead of resigning to life of abject poverty.
While meeting representatives of the Gor Mahia Legends Welfare Group, Owalo challenged the past players to come together and start initiatives that will be beneficial to them.
The group led by their chairman and 1987 award-winning captain, Austin “Makamu” Oduor met the CS on Saturday at a meeting where he initiated the Gor Mahia Legends Welfare Sustainability Fund and donated Seed Capital of Ksh. 1 Million towards the fund. Owalo also gifted the welfare a further Sh500,000 as a token of appreciation.
“I initiated the Gor Mahia Legends Welfare Sustainability Fund and donated Seed Capital of Ksh. 1 Million towards the fund. This effort seeks help the group undertake income-generating projects. The Legends were our pride and joy in their heyday. They should not be forgotten, or neglected, in retirement,” CS Owalo said.
Alongside Captain Oduor in the meeting were other legends including John “Bobby” Ogolla, Nahashon Oluoch “Lule”, David Ochieng “Kamoga”, Tobias Ocholla “Jua Kali”, Zedekiah “Zico” Otieno, Sammy Omolo “Pamzo”, Micke Otieno, Nick Okoth Akura, Maurice Ouma “ Ole Tunda”, Josiah Ougo “ Biggy”, Swaleh Ochieng “Oswayo”, Victor Onyango, Julius Owino “Awilo”, Tobias Mahira, Mike Kisagi, Peter Gor, and Peter Mwololo.
Gor Mahia is the most decorated football club in the country boasting of 20 domestic league titles and is the only club in the region with a continental title. Gor Mahia did so by lifting the Africa Cup Winners Cup, 36 years ago.
Oduor thanked Owalo for his support and urged the legends to turn around their sunset years by leveraging the concept.
Earlier in the year, the CS said ex-players should be involved in running the affairs of football in the country.
“The legends gave the prime of their youth for the pride of our country. Their exemplary rich histories on the pitch should inspire the youth to excel and lift the sport to greater heights.”
