Eliud Owalo, the ICT Cabinet Secretary, has urged the nation to use the knowledge and experience of former players to change the face of Kenyan football.
Owalo made the comments on Friday when hosting the Gor Mahia Legends for breakfast in Nairobi. Former players Austin Oduor "Makamu," Tobias Ochola "Juakali," John "Bobby" Ogolla, Victor Onyango, Mike "Kabanze" Otieno, and Sammy "Pamzo" Omollo attended the event.
"I want to appeal to the entire football fraternity in this country to see how we can utilise the potential, the experience of former players to help us turn around our football," Owalo said.
"We want them to actively get involved in the affairs of Gor Mahia in particular and also football in general. These are people who gave the club pride and glory and everything must be done to reward them."
Owalo said the country would benefit a great deal from the expertise and experience the ex-stars had accumulated over the years.
"They have a lot of experience and guidance to offer to the current players and also technical support towards the enhancement of our country's football."
The CS said he would facilitate the travel of former Gor Mahia players to enable them to watch the Mashemeji derby at Moi Stadium, Kasarani on Sunday.
"Because we are going to have a derby this weekend, I reached out to Gor Mahia Legends through their chairman.
"They have a well-established association led by Austin Oduor who captained the club to continental glory in 1987.
"We did agree that we can explore the possibility of bringing all the former players together starting with this forthcoming Derby on Sunday. "We've made adequate arrangements to enable Gor Mahia Legends to watch the derby.
"For those who are coming from up country, we have already facilitated their travel to Nairobi to watch the match.
"Tomorrow I'll be hosting a lunch entailing all the former and current Gor Mahia players."
The CS said the Legends will also discuss an elaborate plan with players and management on measures to be put in place so that the club can dominate continental football the way they did in the 1980s.
"The legends will also have an opportunity to chitchat with the current players. The Gor Mahia team of the early '80s would win the league year in and year out and also won the Cecafa club championships.
"Today, we have witnessed what we have never witnessed before. On behalf of the Gor Mahia legends, I'd like to thank the CS for his fine gesture," said Oxduor.
The CS presented 60 tracksuits in Gor Mahia colours to the legends as a way of appreciating their contribution to the club.
Oduor threw the gauntlet to the current crop of K'Ogalo players to clinch the title and secure a berth on the continental stage.
“This derby is very important for Gor because the league title race is very tight and we have to win and get back to continental football,” he added.
Gor Mahia lead the league standings with 63 points, two more than Tusker.
