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The Nairobian

Kenya Hall of Fame to induct legend Siang’a

Sports

By ROBIN TOSKIN | Oct 09, 2015

Football legend James Aggrey Siang’a ‘Abawa’ is to be inducted into the Kenya Football Hall of Fame tomorrow in Nairobi in celebration of his outstanding service to local game and the sport in general.

Siang’a starred between the posts for Harambee Stars and Gor Mahia in the 70s as Kenya played in its first ever Africa Cup of Nations.

The former goaltender will be the third inductee, as Kenya Football Hall of Fame executive committee unveils him at a ceremony at the International Hotel and Tourism Institute in Kileleshwa.

In 2014, legendary goalkeeper Mahmoud Abbas was inducted to the Hall of Fame, while in 2013 legendary striker Joe Kadenge was the first inductee.

Ahead of the ceremony, the executive committee said: “The Kenya Football Hall of Fame (The Hall) is a non-profit organisation whose goal is to recognise and reward outstanding footballers, administrators and facilitators, who have over the years served the sport in Kenya, and have also turned out to be model citizens.”

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Gor Mahia’s three straight Kenyan Premier League titles from 2013 to date is partly credited to Siang’a’s vision that re-awakened the once sleeping giants.

Siang’a was roped into K’Ogalo in 2008 with one brief; save the team from relegation. He duly did so as well as qualifying for Confederations Cup after winning the President’s Cup.

Crucially Siang’a set up the foundation recruiting highly rated youngsters like Solomon Nasio, Anthony Akumu, Kevin Omondi, Musa Mohammed, Duncan Owiti, Ibrahim Kitawi and George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo, who spark Gor Mahia into life.

Though he would leave in acrimonious circumstances a year later, the seeds of success had already been sowed.

In recognising Siang’a, Kenya Hall of Fame organisers said their aim is to “encourage education among footballers thus in the process, create capable individuals who are likely to give back to the sport.”

“After the award the winners of the event will provide a mentorship program that will run every quarter as good will ambassadors for the Hall of Fame in different schools and events,” Kenya Hall of Fame organisers said in a statement.

The statement adds: “The long term goals are to create a fraternity of great footballers; a place where individuals are acknowledged and rewarded for their contribution while at the same time giving the youth an opportunity to strive for greatness.”