Send GOR to 22840: Gor denies David ‘Calabar’ Owino will be leaving the club as K'Ogalo enters partnership with 'The Standard'

Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia when they paid a courtesy call to the Standard Group on December 10, 2014. [PHOTO: ROBIN TOSKIN]

Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia will not let Harambee Stars defender David ‘Calabar’ Owino leave the club this transfer window despite interest from Tanzanian giants Simba SC.

The two time KPL defender of the year whose current two year contract expires in June 2015 had been invited for trials at the Tanzanian Premier League side.

According to the Simba head of the committee in charge of transfers, Hans Poppe they want to assess the player before signing him.

“We know this player; we know he’s good and we want to watch him just once and see whether we will sign him or not, he told Tanzanian sports website, bongostaz.blogspot.com.

However, in an interview with FeverPitch on the sidelines of the launch of their partnership with the Standard Media Group, yesterday at the Group’s Centre along Mombasa Road, Gor 1st vice chairman John Pesa said the hard tackling defender still has a running contract with the club.

“As far as I am concerned, Owino is still our player and he’s going nowhere. He has six months left on his contract and he remains one of our key players,” said Pesa.

“We have had no official contact from Simba and the player himself has not informed us about the interest. Yes, we cannot stand in the way of a player seeking greener pastures, but let them use the right channel.

“If they are really serious they want Owino, let them come and negotiate because the player is still contracted to us.”

But on contacting Owino, the defender claimed the club is aware of the interest from Simba.

“I still have a running contract with Gor but they are aware of the interest from Simba. Negotiations are underway and we are waiting to see what happens next,” said Owino.
Meanwhile, the Standard Group have signed a long term partnership with KPL champions Gor Mahia to aid their plight to compete in the demanding domestic and continental fixture next season.

The Short Message Service driven campaign seeks to mobilise fans to raise funds for the team and will supplement an already existing effort by the club to raise money through the pay bill number 350100.

By sending an SMS to the number 22840, fans will subscribe to the service and with it make a donation to the club.

To kick-start the campaign, Standard Group donated a cheque of Sh100,000 to the 14-time KPL champions courtesy of ‘The Nairobian’.

Standard Media Group Managing Editor Digital David Ohito said the partnership between the two entities will not only help Gor raise money, but will also help officials have a register of fans.

Gor Mahia treasurer Ken Otieno thanked Standard Group for the partnership and admitted that the club is broke saying the noble gesture has come at the right time.

“Our accounts are empty and have not paid our players their November salary. We are calling upon corporate sponsors to come on board and assist us,” he said.