Gor Mahia Announce Plans to Build its Own Stadium

Gor Mahia Chairman, Ambrose Rachier, has announced plans by the club to build its own stadium. Rachier said such a move will help the club consolidate its support base and boost revenue on collection on matchdays.

“We already have a team bus for the club and building a stadium will benefit the club in many ways than one,” he said in a press conference saying the facility will go a long way into supporting the club's main team, the women's team, the U-7 and U19 teams.

Although he did not give details on the timeline, capacity or where the stadium will be built, Rachier said that the club is seriously mulling over the matter. “It’s possible, and we want to do it,” he reiterated.

Such a move could prove to be a colossal financial boon for the club which has arguably the biggest fan-base in Kenya. Besides earning match-day revenues, Gor will more likely than not sell the stadium naming rights like it happens in most European leagues. Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium and Manchester City’s Eitihad Stadium spring to mind. The facility, if well built and properly maintained, could also be hired for international games and help address the problem of stadium shortage in the country.

However, such a venture will also require massive investment and maintenance per se. It would be interesting to see how and where the club will source the funds from.

Rachier’s announcement came when the Tuzo-sponsored club officially unveiled its replica jerseys which will sell at Sh2,800 (plus the short), and a polo shirt which will retail at Sh1500.

Tuzo Brand Manager Rosemary Aloo said the kits will only be used this season and Legea, the kit manufacturers will keep the culture of producing new ones for subsequent seasons.  "It is very important for supporters to recognize that by purchasing genuine LEGEA branded Gor Mahia FC merchandise, they will be contributing directly towards the club’s kitty since at least 10 percent of all revenue from the sale of these official merchandise will be remitted to Gor Mahia’s kitty, further strengthening the team’s financial base," she said.

Meanwhile the club chairman also reassured Gor fans that Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno is still the club’s coach. Zico has been coaching the national team, Harambee Stars, ahead of the World Cup qualifier match against the Seychelles until he was stripped off his duty and replaced by Sofapaka tactician Francis Kimanzi.

Rachier said the club is keen to ensure that Zico runs out his contract which expires in January 2012.

In his absence, Gor has been under the tutelage of Assistant coach Anaba Awono who has guided Kogalo to win the FKL Cup (hence a ticket to CAF Confederations Cup next year) and also seen them end a run of poor results with two wins in their last two games. They sit fourth on the KPL table standings with 44points but have played a game more than all teams in the topflight.

Zico’s first match back on the Gor dugout will be against Rangers on November 17.

Do you support the plans and where would you like the stadium to be built? Leave your opinions on the comments section below.

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