Gor Mahia deserves SOYA award

Gor Mahia have been nominated for the annual sports team of the year award by virtue of having won the 2014 Kenya Premier League. The other teams that have been nominated are league runners-up Sofapaka who are also the GOTV Cup winners, two rugby teams in Kenya 15’s and KCB the circuit winners and Kanbis Cricket club.

The Kenya rugby 15s side was the bright spot in rugby this year. While their sevens counterparts were faltering, the 15s side came close to qualifying for the world cup but fell short at the last moment. Sofapaka did really well to finish second in the league, three points behind Gor Mahia and ended up winning the GoTv shield.

But Gor Mahia overcame a lot in 2014. In January they lost multiple dependable players who left to further their careers in other places: Mosoti, Kiongera, Lavatsa all departed. In March the club lost its title sponsors Tuzo after negotiations to renew the contract faltered. In June yet more dependable players left: Shaban Kenga, Akumu, Rama Salim, Kevin Omondi all left to pursue overseas deal. Even coach Bobby Williamson complained that player turnover was making it difficult for the team to gain cohesiveness

To make matters worse, head coach Bobby Williamson departed mid season to pursue a coaching job with Harambee stars. A mass departure like that one would have crippled most teams. Not to mention that the players had to adapt to a new coach in the middle of the season.

But the steely determination of the players carried them through. The unending fan support was also a crucial factor in lifting the determine. There was a three horse race at the end pitting Gor Mahia against Tusker and Sofapaka. In the end Gor Mahia overcame the odds carried the day to lift the trophy for the second succesive season.

Over the next two weeks the public will have a chance to vote for their Sports Personality of the year (male and female) and the Sports Team of the Year (male and female) through the Short Message service, SMS platform for free.

To vote for their chosen athlete and team, one will have to dial *279# from their Safaricom line and follow instructions untl a week before the awards. The Safaricom Soya Awards will be held on January 16, 2015 at the KICC, Nairobi.