K’OGALO TOUCHLINE
By Nick Okello Okello
They say a much deserved occurrence is in congruence with the circumstantial need of a people, or time. Yes, the much needed state of the art green machine will roar out of the assembly point in the next 24 hours, much to the excitement of the expectant Gor Mahia FC supporters both locally and internationally.
Mark the historic time – it will be 6.30am tomorrow at the General Motors plant along Mombasa road. The green machine will be handed over to the sponsor; Eliud Owalo Foundation via it’s patron, Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy of Kenya, Hon. Eliud Owalo. There after, the carnival will commence with a colorful road show that will swirly through Mombasa road, Outering road, Jogoo road, Landhis road, Haileselasie Avenue, Moi Avenue, Globe Cinema roundabout, and head straight to Thika road, and then to Kasarani stadium for the official handover to Gor Mahia FC.
On board will be the players of the club, club officials, members of Eliud Owalo Foundation, and the technical bench of the club. The green machine is an engineering work to marvel since it has been designed to befit K’Ogalo status as the most successful club in East Africa! The bus is fitted with unlimited internet, air conditioning system, phone charging terminals, 42 seats made of quality fabric to enhance comfort of players while traveling and an executive members suit! The green machine has a magnificent interior design and an inviting ambiance inside!
Manufactured by Masters Body Builders, the bus has borrowed heavily from the plan of Juventus FC bus that is used by the Serie A club for matches in Italy.
As the ignition switch will be turning on at the GM motor assembly, the entourage will consist of the always colorful, in fatigable and passionate orchestra K’Ogalo Team Kwaya , led by the coordinator Mr. Taya Dok and the crazy Tobby Suba ( soloist), who will be signing and drumming through the entire roadshow. More fans are expected to accompany the bus during the roadshow as they ink their involvement in this historic spectacle that could be a once -in – a life experience.
Traffic police on outrider motorbikes, and Gor Mahia FC stewards will be on duty tomorrow to ensure a seamless occasion is achieved. The planning is so meticulous as espoused by CS Owalo’s character of perfection. The event is being handled by Homeboys Limited, one of the most experienced hands in events management in the country.
As narrated by Homeboys CEO Mr. Myke Rabar, they are determined to give the event the best shot and who doubts that really?
The bus is expected to arrive at Kasarani by 9.00am tomorrow to kick start the day’s activities in the stadium that include a whole – day entertainment by Homeboys Djs, the fans will also be dancing to live performance by Ohangla sensation Musa Jakadalla just before the much publicised Sportpesa derby pitting Gor Mahia FC vs Murang’a Seal in a Kenya Premier League action at 4.00pm. The game will beam live on Azam TV.
It’s been 55 years to this historic moment!
The last time Gor Mahia FC received a club bus officially like it will be happening tomorrow was in 1968 when the club was founded. The then powerful minister the Late Tom Mboya and other fans donated a Ford bus model to the club. Though the club has received other mini buses from fans, the only other comparative acquisition by the club was done 55 years ago!
It’s on this pedestal that tomorrow’s quintessential acquisition is monumental in the calendar of the club – especially now that it’s a modern bus that befits mighty K’Ogalo’s majestic ways both in and off the field of play.
As assured by the club Chairman Lawyer Ambrose Rachier, “don’t waste your time to think that you can auction is bus like it happened last year with our mini bus … don’t try because the bus is registered differently and will not go out to any ill intended persons via auctioneers” he equiped early this week in meeting with members of the press. The 55 years are decades apart yet the 2 happenings are similar in many ways; then, it was a minister in the government who helped the club acquire it’s first bus, now again, another minister in government has done it! I persuade the fans and the club to also show up on this stage as well in future, we should not wait untill this one wears out to get another one, let’s also plan and buy for our club a bus.
Appreciating CS Owalo and his Foundation.
Though not new to supporting sport entities and individuals in the country, the good CS has demonstrated the penchant and passion for sports for a long time now. The has been supporting football, basketball and other activities in the country .
But it is imperative to single him out for appreciation on this Gor Mahia FC bus because it’s a huge input to the club by an individual’s standards! K’Ogalo fraternity say a big thank you to you for this generous gesture and wish you well in your endeavors.
Tomorrow’s function will be carnival and will surely go down the annuls of history a jumbo size act of selflessness! Asante Waziri, tupatane stadi
Nick Okello Okello is a Journalist and Sports enthusiast. He can be reached on; nickokellofololo@gmail.com