In a bid to overcome the perennial financial crisis that badly hit Mathare United two seasons ago, the club’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jecton Obure, has revealed plans to adopt a corporate model.Mathare were relegated to the second tier at the end of the 2022/2023 season, a situation many attributed to the financial challenges the team faced at the time.However, after just one season in the National Super League (NSL), the Francis Kimanzi-led side secured a return to the top flight, finishing second behind eventual champions Mara Sugar.Obure recognizes the challenges of competing in the top tier and has disclosed that plans are already in motion to make a significant impact, contingent upon the team’s financial stability.In an exclusive interview with Mozzart Sport, the CEO revealed that they are currently in discussions with two companies interested in partnering with them for the upcoming campaign.Gor Mahia drawn in group of death at CECAFA Kagame CupApart from the sponsorship deals, the club administrator said they are planning to establish Mathare United as a limited company to enable people to invest in them.”Already, we have been approached by two companies who are serious. We met them when we were in the Super League, but they seemed reluctant to strike a deal,” Obure said.”One of them contacted us yesterday, and we will be having meetings on Wednesday with their directors. The other deal is 60% done,” he told Mozzart Sport.”At the same time, we are coming up with a model whereby we want to put Mathare as a limited company so that people who want to come on board and invest in this club can do that. That’s the only way we can achieve and be financially stable,” asserted Obure.He went on, “I know if we get two or three sponsors and people who will come in and support this team, we will manage to raise our budget of Ksh. 60 million per season.”Reflecting on the just-concluded season that saw them make a quick return to the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL), Obure said going back to their roots and having supportive individuals close to the team played a significant role.”It is a good thing that we are back in the Premier League within a season, which was our main objective. The Mathare fraternity is happy, and we are going to make sure we maintain our status.””One thing that people forget quickly is that finance plays a very key part. Players need to be motivated; you can have a very good team, but without motivation, it is nothing.””When we were relegated, friends of Mathare came and decided to support us fully. As a club, we went back to our roots. We brought back coaches and players who are from MYSA or Mathare United, and we mixed in a couple of veteran players and youth.”What Gor Mahia fans can expect from newly appointed head coach Leonardo NeivaAhead of the transfer window, Obure says they plan to cut their squad, and some of the players will be sent to the under-21 side that is soon to be formed in line with the club licensing policy.Mathare had the biggest squad in the NSL last season, consisting of 37 players.”We had 37 players last season, the biggest squad in the NSL. Ten of them were academy players who will form the under-21.””The Premier League is not a joke; it is not like the NSL. Here, everyone is sober and understands it is a top-flight league.””There are some departments that we need to strengthen, and I have discussed this with the technical bench. There are some players who didn’t give their maximum and they will either join the junior team since they are young or will be released. But we are planning to maintain most of the players because they are the ones who put us up there,” he offered.Mathare is expected to strengthen the goalkeeping department, with captain Steve Njunge linked to AFC Leopards and the striking force, which will be decided before Thursday.##NAJAVA_MECA_8191939##
