FKF Premier League outfit Shabana have planned a major funds drive to help raise money for the team.
According to Sam Nyamweya, who is the club patron and the chairman of the funds drive committee that was put in place by Education CS Ezekiel Machogu and has the blessings of the Gusii Community, a list of the guests to attend has been finalised and those listed have confirmed attendance to support the Kisii-based Glamour Boys.
In a signed statement, Nyamweya stated: “The Organising Committee for the Shabana funds drive would like to draw the attention of the supporters as follows, that the committee has set up a list of guests who have been approached and have agreed to support the team to meet its season expenses in a major funds drive later this month. The committee will meet again next week on Monday, September 11 at 5:00 pm to set up the date of the funds drive with the concurrency of the guests.”
The statement continued: “Shabana will be run as a corporate entity devoid of divisive politics and reflect the community aspirations and welfare of the players and the technical bench being key. Salaries and allowances of the club will be payable to the players and the technical team directly to their bank accounts and other welfare support like medical insurance and savings plans will later be unveiled to ensure retention of players and the technical team.”
When reached for comment, Nyamweya put Shabana on the same level as Kenyan giants Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards insisting they require a good financial base to be managed effectively and further promised to deliver on his job of mobilising funds towards the team.
“It is not easy to manage Shabana, they are at the same level as Gor and AFC, you need money to make sure they operate and that is why I am determined to make sure they succeed,” said Nyamweya, adding: “I was given this job by the Gusii Community and I want to assure them I will not let them down, I will do everything possible within my reach to make sure the team has a strong financial base to help them navigate this season and many more to come.”
Asked to reveal those invited for the funds drive, Nyamweya said: “We will have people from all walks of life gracing the occasion, politicians from all political divides, big personalities in the government, all registered Shabana branches, it will be a huge function and we invite everyone to come on board and support the team.”
Since earning promotion to the top-flight, Shabana have played two matches – losing the opener 1-0 against Murang’a Seal FC at home before drawing 1-1 against FC Talanta away at Nyayo Stadium.