The plight of retired footballers has long been a topic of discussion within Kenya’s sporting community.
Many of these athletes, once national icons, face financial struggles post-retirement, a situation aggravated by the low remuneration from clubs during their playing days.
Addressing this pressing issue, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, Eliud Owalo, has urged retired footballers to embark on income-generating ventures.
Owalo, highlighting the need for sustainable financial solutions, made the remarks during a meeting with retired Gor Mahia players on Saturday.
“You need to think about establishing income-generating activities to ensure a constant revenue stream, and to achieve this, enhancing your brand is crucial,” he said.
This call to action emerges in the wake of alarming instances of former Kenyan footballers living in destitution due to a lack of foresight in investments during their prime.
The situation has been exacerbated by the undeniable fact that many clubs do not offer sufficient pay to their players, leaving them with minimal savings to invest in their post-football lives.
In a heartfelt statement, Owalo expressed his solidarity with the footballing community.
“I’ve approached Kenya Broadcasting Corporation to establish a Gor Mahia Hall of Fame. As Gor Mahia fans, we shouldn’t just stand by and watch you face challenges in retirement,” he passionately stated.
Emphasizing the need for fans to step up and provide support, he added, “We, as Gor Mahia fans, should do more than just provide you with a sense of belonging to the Gor Mahia family. We should ensure that you, who gave us so much pride and joy during your playing days, continue to live a decent life in retirement.”
To kickstart this initiative, Owalo generously donated a seed capital of Sh1 million to the Gor Mahia Legends Welfare Sustainability Fund.
This fund’s primary objective is to aid the legends in launching various income-generating projects. It hopes to instill a sense of self-reliance, eliminating the humiliating experiences some ex-players have faced in seeking assistance.
