Reprieve has finally greeted AFC Leopards den as the club received financial boost yester night during a funds drive.
The drive, organized by club chairman Dr. Dan Shikanda, attracted contributions from who is who in the country, including contributions from President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The club have, of late, been pegged in a begging mode following the withdrawal of SportPesa as their official sponsor – and most recently, BetWay Kenya.
Owing to their withdrawal from sponsoring the club, AFC Leopards has been reeling in debts, making it lose valuable players to other clubs.
It has not been players alone; Leopards have had a frosty relationship with their coaches because they have been financially incapacitated.
The situation is even worsened as the Ingwe is currently serving a ban from FIFA on transfer of players.
Speaking before the Thursday night’s funds drive, Franklin Imbenzi, Chairman of AFC Leopards branch supports, said, “Our priorities is to clear monies owed to former players and coaches. This will help us appeal to FIFA to lift the transfer ban,” Franklin was one of the organizers of the funds drive.
“We shall then be able to bring in some new faces because we have lost several dependable players. The welfare of players is very important because we need a motivated squad. So, we will have something for them too,” added Mr. Imbenzi.
During the last night’s fundraising, President Uhuru Kenyatta gave a contribution of Ksh. 2 million. Club patron, Hon. Musalia Mudavadi gave 1 million, former primer Raila Odinga contributed 1 million.
Eugene Wamalwa, who is the newly appointed Cabinet Secretary in the Defense docket, and was the chief guest at the funds drive, gave a contribution of Ksh.1 million.
Of course, there is a good number of dignitaries that gave their handsome contribution. Westlands Member of Parliament Hon. Tim Wanyonyi gave 400,000, and promised to be giving Ksh.100, 000 per month for next 12 months.
There have been perennial complaints because of the misuse of funds in AFC leopards and Gor Mahia’s offices. It is therefore going to be seen whether this time round, it will be a new script, or it will be still the same old song on financial mismanagement.
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