Gor risk missing CAF licence over constitutional stalemate

Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Gor Mahia risk missing out on the CAF Champions League next season should they hold on to their domestic title since they cannot beat Monday’s deadline to acquire a licence from the continental football governing body.

Club chairman Ambrose Rachier said on Ramogi FM on Friday morning compliance to the Sports Act 2013 was a mandatory requirement to get the license with K’Ogalo yet to conform to the law because its new Constitution is not yet in place.

“We need a new Constitution before we can be given the licence. We also need proof of accountability by producing audited accounts of club finances alongside having a Chief Finance Officer in place,” the long-serving chairman stated.

Rachier claimed his efforts to have a new Constitution in place has been frustrated severally by some club officials and members aspiring for leadership positions who have always called for elections before the old set of rules can be amended.

“At the beginning of the season, we agreed to hold elections at the end of the season yet some of them are using this as a tool to block the club’s  new Constitution. They don’t even see the importance of the licence,” Rachier complained.

The Gor boss said they are writing to CAF to give the club more time to acquire the licence since they cannot beat the deadline.

He was however, quick to deny allegations he was opposed to elections saying registration of members is underway and open to all Kenyan citizens adding only registered members will take part in the exercise when its timetable is set.

“Our elections will be presided over by an independent body yet to be identified. All the election material will be in their custody and no interference will be allowed. Our arch rivals AFC leopards held a wonderful and non tribal election and that is the way to go,” Rachier announced.

The deadline for registration is November 20 with the Annual General Meeting set for December 11 at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium or Safaricom Stadium in Kasarani.

The Gor chairman also dispelled rumours that the club intends to charge Ksh300,000 to Ksh500,000 for those vying for the Chairman’s post as a way of blocking some aspirants saying they have not even come up with the figures.

Earlier this month, a meeting called to discuss the proposed new Constitution at Nyayo turned chaotic after Gor regional officials differed sharply with the national office over its draft.

Rachier who had invited branch and sub-branch bosses was curiously absent from the meeting casting doubt on his commitment to hold the polls as affiliate chairmen and secretaries rejected the draft saying they had not been consulted or presented with it before the gathering.

National secretary, David Kilo said another meeting that is yet to take place would be called after the October 8 gathering was called off when it turned into a shouting match with a Special General Meeting scheduled for the previous weekend also aborting in unclear circumstances.

Gor will play Mathare United on Sunday in Kasarani in their pursuit of KPL log leaders, Tusker FC who are away to Sony Sugar in Awendo on Saturday as they seek to reel in the four point gap at the top with three games of the season to go.

Rachier admitted the Brewers are in pole position in the title run in but K’Ogalo are ready to capitalise on any slip up after cutting the deficit from six to four last weekend when they beat Leopards 2-0 as Tusker drew 1-1 with relegation –threatened Nairobi City Stars.