K’ogalo legion of fans are not registered

Gor Mahia fan during CAF Confed Cup-quarter final first leg at Kasarani stadium. April 7, 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Gor Mahia is undoubtedly the club with the highest number of fans in Kenya and one of the most popular in East Africa.

It is gradually awakening the spirits of being a giant by getting back to the continent’s map.

In terms of fan-base and performance, Gor Mahia can now compete with giants like Al-Hilal, Zamalek and Etoile du Sahel, TP Mazembe, Al-Alhly, among others.

This is especially after making history by beating Angolan side Petro de Luanda at the International Sports Centre Kasarani Stadium to qualify to the Caf Confederations Cup quarterfinal stage- a level they last reached in 1993.

Despite the fact that the match was played at night, hundreds of fans still trooped into the 60,000-seater facility.

And a reported revenue of Sh1, 711,300 was collected at the gates from a random Sh500-worth tickets for VIP and Sh200-worth tickets for regulars.

Sometimes, when K’Ogalo meets arch-rivals AFC Leopards, the stadiums get packed to the brim with thousands of fans.

But is Gor Mahia making enough money from the mammoth number of fans?

The club’s former player and Coach John Bob Oyugi explains that Gor Mahia can only become financially stable if fans register to become valuable members. And if the management put adequate mechanisms to successfully manage the revenues that come from the fans.

“Gor Mahia is a big team with massive fans behind it. It would be wise to take advantage of that situation so as to make huge money for development. We should copy what other big clubs in Africa do with their fans.

“Let every fan register, then the money be channelled to development agenda. You wouldn’t hear of any strikes or pleas to bail out the club at crucial times,” Bob Oyugi said.

On his part, Timam Events and Ticketing Limited Company CEO Jectone Obure explains how it is important for every registered fan to purchase seasonal tickets for all the matches of Gor Mahia. He says that would transform K’Ogalo into a world-class club within no time.

“Nothing helps a club than having operational seasonal tickets for fans. It becomes even more advantageous if a club has many fans across the country, like Gor Mahia.

“I know all this sounds a dream for Kenya but I strongly believe that it can happen if structures are put in place. And I’m sure Kenyans have the capacity to make anything possible,” Obure said.

According to the club’s Vice Chairman John Pesa in a previous interview, Gor Mahia provides for memberships in four categories; Golden, Silver, Bronze and General.

Golden members register with Sh100, 000 while those of silver category register with Sh50, 000. The Bronze members pay Sh20, 000 while General membership goes at Sh1, 200 per year.

But surprisingly, only three members hold the Golden status.

According to a report published by IFEOS-a firm which was contracted to conduct elections for the club in 2016, less than 5000 fans had registered as members. The list has since been pulled down from the club’s website.