Uganda`s Sserenkuma voted best player in Kenya

Gor Mahia claimed virtually all the major trophies in the Kenya Premier League (KPL) Gala night held on Wednesday night at the Nairobi’s Safari Park Hotel.

    Teddy Akumu was voted the best midfielder of the year 2012 while head coach Zdravko Logarusic emerged the best coach of the season amid thunderous cheers.

   Other Gor Mahia recipients in the colourful Gala event graced by Assistant Sports Minister Kabando WA Kabando and Sports Commissioner Gordon Oluoch included Uganda’s duo Dan Sserunkuma and Ivans Anguyo who pocketed the Best player of the year and defender of the year title respectively.

  But the man of the day was undoubtedly Uganda’s Sserunkuma who climbed the podium three times. He finished second in the Fairplay player of the year behind John Barasa and third placed Obadiah Ndege.

  He climbed the podium yet again when he finished second behind top scorer John Barasa in the Golden Boot winner of the year before being crowned Best player of the season.He was awarded the glittering trophy by Kabando.

   Nevertheless, there was uproar in the well packed hall after Nassur Doka was named the best centre referee of the year. Everyone was expecting Damaris Kimani to be given the trophy following her sterling performance especially handling the highly billed Kenya derby pitting Gor Mahia and traditional arch rivals AFC Leopards few weeks ago.

   Davies Omweno finished second in the centre referee category with Tom Onyango coming third.The trophy was presented to the winners by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Chairman Sam Nyamweya.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Youth & Sports will continue   to offer maximum support to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the Kenya Premier League (KPL), Sports Assistant Minister Kabando Wa Kabando has assured.   

  He said the Ministry was impressed by the duo’s effort in promoting football   from the grassroots but pleaded with KPL to consider channeling their effort to the women League.

   Kabando noted with pride that the just ending season saw the return of huge spectators especially matches involving Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards  .He further noted that the standard of officiating have improved adding he was expecting a major turn out come next season.

   Speaking on behalf of Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba during the KPL gala awards at the Nairobi Safari park, Kabando lauded FKF   for their role especially training of referees and coaches.

   “While we celebrate our success, added Kabando, Our Fifa rankings have not been impressive.This is a major concern.Our campaign for Brazil World Cup in 2014 still remains on course.Let’s all put our heads together and improve our football standards.As a ministry, we shall support both FKF and KPL.”

  He called upon other co-operate  bodies  to emulate East Africa Breweries Limited(EABL)  who have  come in a massive way to sponsor Kenya football that was marred with wrangles in the past.

    While assuring Kenyans that the Sports Minister will grace Saturday’s Harambee Stars opening match against Uganda Cranes in Kampala, Kabando disclosed that the Ministry had just spend Kshs.1 million for Air tickets for the entire Harambee Stars contingent that will represent the country in the regional Cecafa Challe nge Cup in Uganda.The events kicks off from Saturday November 24-December 8.

     He lauded sponsors Supersports Channel for bringing football live from the region adding that those who will be unable to travel to Uganda will be able to watch matches live in their sitting rooms.

And AFC Leopards Chairman Alex Ole Magelo might crack the whip against any member of the  technical bench  who will be implicated in any wrong doing that saw the club finish third in the  just ended Tusker Premier League. 

  The club boss said though the team’s performance compared to previous years was impressive, he still had a bone to pick with the technical bench who did not live up to their expectations.

   ‘There were  so many lapses that culminated with the team  losing in the final match against Chemelil Sugar which is  unacceptable.We should have wrapped up the League title long time  ago but because of  issues  which I need to be told, we were unable to deliver” Observed Magelo.

    Magelo was scheduled to meet the Technical bench on Thursday November 22 to draft the way forward and   get the inside story before unleashing his punishment to those involved.

  However, Magelo had good words for sponsors Mumias Sugar company for helping the club in various ways. ‘We were able  even to purchase a state of the art Buss, insured our players in the start of the season and paying  players  and technical bench on time.We are greatly delighted with their immense  support’ said he.

  The club recently dropped 10 players in what was described as poor performance in the just ending season.Top casualties included Oscar Kadenge, Brian Masiolo, Emmanuel Tostao and Robert Syongo among others.