Kenyan football cannot flourish without traditional powerhouses Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards at the core of the action, ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has said.
Owalo urged the commercial sector to leverage the enormous fanbases of the two most well-known community clubs in Kenya for effective marketing across the country.
"Once more, I'm pleading with the corporate sector to invest in these two clubs. Because they lack a fan base, institutional clubs have no utility in receiving sponsorship from businesses.'
He made the remarks after hosting AFC Leopards officials and players for breakfast in Nairobi on Saturday at a function graced by Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba.
The ICT CS reflected on the good old days when K'Ogalo and Ingwe were the dominant forces in the local football scene.
"You may recall how fierce the competition between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards was when our football standards were at their peak point. We want it to resume its previous state of healthy competition rather than hostility.
"There are Gor Mahia players that have played for the AFC Leopards after making the switch. We also have athletes like Dan Shikanda and Tom Juma, the assistant coach for the AFC Leopards, who played for both teams. We want the competition that existed in the 1980s to be rekindled for the benefit of football to elevate our game.
In preparation for Sunday's derby against Gor Mahia, Owalo later presented AFC Leopards with 40 tracksuits and a small financial donation. He urged the supporters to attend in huge numbers.
"I ask AFC and Gor supporters to show up in droves at Nyayo Stadium to support their sides ahead of tomorrow's derby. The route to regeneration lies in Gor and AFC's healthy competitiveness with one another.
Present during the function was Sports and Youth Affairs CS, Ababu Namwamba, AFC Leopards Chairman Dan Shikanda, SG Gilbert Andugu; Treasurer Oliver Imbenzi; and coach Patrick Aussems.
