A Gor club house, now that is something to talk about

Thanks to my former classmate Naomi Nuguna, Saturday evening found me at this establishment in the leafy suburbs of the city.

It was an occasion to catch up with my former comrades from Moi University, some of whom I have not seen in almost a quarter century.

As expected of such occasions the banter went the full gamut - career progress, family issues, those who have left us and what the future holds. It was a motley crew that included a full time hustler, an IT titan on the verge of selling his outfit to an international bidder, farmers, a full colonel in the Kenya Army and an internationally accredited rugby referee.

The highlight of the evening was when one of us (name withheld) confessed that one time, after having one too many in Birmingham, United Kingdom, the person took to pole dancing. Which would have been fine were it not for the fact the person in question is a macho man who has played rugby for both club and country.

What I took from the meet up was that people need a place to converge and share their stories. Which brings me to the issue I have written about for days on end - the need for a club house at Gor Mahia. I can say here without a shadow of turning doubt that Gor Mahia is perhaps the club with the richest history in these our neck of the woods.

Just for starters, it is true that no player has ever equalled the 26 goals in the top tier league scored by Maurice Ochieng “Sonyi” of Gor Mahia in the 1976 national league as it was called then.

Also, who can take away our pride in the fact that the same year Gor Mahia was formed - 1968 - it went ahead to win the league?

As my friend, the Shabana loving Kerubi Momanyi points out, on August 18, 1968, Chris Obure scored four goals as Gor hammered Maseno 5-1. The amazing bit was that all the goals were from headers from another legend, Willis Ouma Chege.

Talking of Obure, the man later became a successful politician, serving the people of Bobasi as well as a cabinet minister in various ministries ending up as Senator for Kisii County. Now suppose we had a club house where people like Obure would come and give the boys motivational talks. Or have Peter Dawo reminisce over his exploits at the 1987 Nelson Mandela Cup.

My faith in a club house was reinforced when I read a piece in Sunday’s edition of this newspaper extolling the achievements of Tanzanian giants Azam FC.

In as far as history goes, Azam cannot hold a candle to Gor Mahia. The difference is that the Tanzanians have a management keen on improving and getting better by each day. The less said of our own management and some of the managers the better.

Meanwhile I am glad to report to you that we are only five points of clinching the league.

As things stand now, it is only a monumental disaster that can stop K’Ogalo from holding the diadem afloat.