Games and Sports
Shabana Boss Is Shown the Door
- Details
- Published on Monday, 23 July 2007 01:10
Shortly after this announcement was made public, Matundura yesterday declared that he had resigned from the chairmanship citing outside interference.
He said he had dissolved the club leadership to to pave way for elections. "The club should hold elections in the next three weeks and elect new office bearers of their choice," he said.
As a result, Dogo Khan becomes the interim chairman with Oscar Masese as the interim vice-chairman.
Kennedy Gichana is the secretary and Evans Kibagendi his assistant. The treasurer is Christopher Kibagendi while Lawrence Ayiera is the assistant treasurer with the post of co-ordinator going to Wilfred Riang'a. All these officials will be serving in their capacity as caretakers.
A Press statement by Masese said the action was taken by 500 members who met at the City Stadium on Sunday after the Premier League match against Mathare United which Shabana lost 0-5. "It was resolved that as a result of mismanagement, it was resolved that an interim national committee be formed to run the club until the end of the season," the letter said.
Immediately, the new office asked the KFF national office to assist them by channelling all communication, receipts from gate collection and TV coverage to Khan. The officials chose an opportune time to make their announcement as the KFF was receiving the national team and rewarding them for their 5-3 aggregate win against Swaziland in the Africa Nations' Cup preliminary match.
The immediate reaction by Maina Kariuki, the KFF chairman said he will write to the Premier League Committee to ask them to allow Shabana to play without cards for the time being. "Shabana does not belong to the one person," he said.
As if Matundura was reading between the lines, he resigned yesterday from the chairmanship citing outside interference. He dissolved the club leadership to to pave way for elections. "The club should hold elections in the next three weeks and elect new office bearers of their choice," he said.
He heaped the blame on vice chairman, Khan for betraying him by supporting rebel players he had suspended. "I cannot allow myself to lead a club comprising of indisciplined players and officials."
Matundura criticised Khan for leaking management decisions to the players contrary to the collective agreement that should be observed by all club officials.
At the same time he took a swipe at the Kenya Football Federation (KFF) Nyanza South for undermining him and that they were behind the abortive Harambee in aid of the club last March in Kisii. He said disbanding the team was not a unilateral decision. Matundura said that it was during his time that Shabana registered memorable achievements.
It was during his term that Shabana entered a three year contract with Western Union where the firm was to provide playing kit to the team.
The crisis hit Shabana have lost four matches in a row after players accused the management of failing to pay them their salaries and allowances. On Saturday Shabana forfeited three points to AFC Leopards after the players turned at the stadium without the players' cards.
Three weeks ago Shabana lost 1-4 to Nakuru Police at the same venue in what was a seen as a sabotage by players who were at loggerheads with their chairman and on the following day at the same venue they failed to turn up against Administration Police who were awarded the match.
On Sunday Shabana woes continued when they defied the club management and went to play against Mathare United at City stadium with four players who had been sacked for alleged gross misconduct. They lost 1-4. The four players - Sammy Opwapo, Japeth Kenyatta, Anthony Luziki and Peter Kakonge and team manager Nicholas Anyuga ejected for inciting players .
