The millions Gor Mahia pocketed for retaining the league title

The millions Gor Mahia pocketed for retaining the league title

Mark Kinyanjui 10:49 - 24.06.2024

The millions Gor Mahia have been granted by FKF for winning the league title.

Record FKFPL champions Gor Mahia wrapped up their triumphant season in style, defeating Bidco United 4-3 in an exciting match held in Machakos on Sunday afternoon. 

Having already secured the championship title a month ago, Gor Mahia were focused on amassing as many points as possible to finish the season on a high note.

The coronation ceremony took place on Sunday in front of a sizable crowd, marking the official end of a successful season for Gor Mahia.

In addition to the trophy, the team received a cash prize of Ksh5 million from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), a significant improvement from the previous year when they received no financial reward for their efforts.

Pulse Sports has learned that an additional Ksh11 million will be distributed among the other FKFPL teams based on their final standings.

 This marks a positive shift from previous years, demonstrating an increase in financial support for the teams. For instance, in the 2021/22 season, Tusker were crowned champions but only received a modest two million shillings in prize money from the FKF Caretaker Committee.

The improvement in prize money is notable when compared to past seasons. In the 2021/22 season, despite winning the league, Tusker could not represent Kenya in the CAF Champions League due to a suspension imposed by FIFA on the country. 

This season, however, Gor Mahia is preparing for their CAF Champions League assignments, bolstered by the financial reward and the upcoming pre-season tournaments.

In the 2019/20 season, Gor Mahia were declared champions after the league ended prematurely due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Despite leading the table with 54 points from 23 matches, they never received a trophy or the four million shillings prize money. This issue was repeated in the 2018/19 season when the organizers failed to pay Gor Mahia their prize money.

The FKF’s ability to award prize money this season is attributed to their broadcasting deals with Tanzanian company Azam TV and the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC). 

The federation secured a five-year deal with Azam TV worth up to 148 million shillings per year, alongside a 240 million shillings deal with KBC. These agreements have significantly bolstered the federation’s financial stability, allowing them to support the teams more effectively.

With the championship secured and financial rewards in hand, Gor Mahia now shifts their focus to the upcoming pre-season tournaments. 

These events will serve as crucial preparation for their CAF Champions League endeavors next year. The team’s success this season and the improved financial support from FKF highlight a positive trajectory for Kenyan football.

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