The Ministry of Sports and Heritage through its Principal Secretary Mike Kimoko has demanded for a written apology from record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia and called out club Secretary General Sam Ocholla for his ‘alarmist and irresponsible behavior’ last week where the official apparently released a memo accusing the government for failing to pay the prize money they had won in the Madaraka Day match against rivals AFC Leopards.Ocholla, in his memo, suspected why the money had yet to he paid two days after winning the match on post match penalties as he threw a pointing finger towards Kimoko who was in charge of disbursing the allowance.Gor Mahia cry foul as Madaraka Day prize money ‘suspiciously’ stallsIn a statement published on Tuesday, the Principal Secretary came out to clear the air as he revealed that Ocholla wanted the prize money to be paid in cash contrary to the governmental procedures.”The Government through the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage offered a cash prize of 1 Million and 0.5 Million to winner and runners-up respectively to the two teams which participated in the Madaraka Day Celebrations Derby on 1st June, 2022,””Gor Mahia FC won the match and AFC Leopards became runners-up, hence Gor Mahia received a cash prize of Kshs.1 Million and AFC Leopards got a cash prize of Kshs.0.5 Million,” read the statement.The Government through the Ministry of Sports has demanded for an apology from Gor Mahia after the club SG claimed the club was yet to receive monies after winning the Madaraka Day Cup 🍿 pic.twitter.com/1YTv3HZNV5— Jeff Kinyanjui (@Nyash88) June 7, 2022 “The money was wired directly to the respective club accounts on 3rd June, 2022 at 12.00 pm in line with Government procedures against heated demand from some club officials that the payment should be in cash,””Both the Chairman of the two clubs were at all times briefed on the procedures of the cash prize payments and you as the Chairman of Gor Mahia FC indeed confirmed the reflection of the cash prize amount in your club accounts on 6th June, 2022,” it continued.”It is therefore not only alarmist, obnoxious and irresponsible but also besmirching for the official of your club in the position of Secretary General to misinform the general public and football lovers on the position of the payment of cash prize,””This is therefore to demand a written apology from the club via the same media of communication the club official used to misinform,” Kimoko demanded.
