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Shabana chairman Jared Nivaton has warned that the Betika Super League side may go down if no urgent intervention is made as  it is currently broke despite a season opening fixture fast approaching.

Nivaton also revealed that the team which received a bus donated to them by President Uhuru Kenyatta after they beat AFC Leopards to clinch the Mashujaa Day Cup in October, were yet to receive cash pledges made by Uhuru (Sh 5 million) and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (Sh 1 million), which he said could have been a big boost to the side in their crucial quest.

He said the team lacked a home ground since the Gusii Stadium had been closed for renovation and appealed for financial support from the Kisii county government, members of the community, general fans and well wishers to enable them stay afloat as they seek to rerun to top flight football next seaon.

Nivaton’s concerns come as the Kisii county government declared Gusii Stadium, Shabana’s home ground, unavailable for use until February 2021 as the facility is being renovated, forcing the financially struggling side to look for an alternative home ground, either in Awendo, Kisumu, Kericho or Narok.

Tight corner

Speaking to People Sports, the chairman said that he had been placed in a tight corner, owing to the hard times occasioned by Covid-19 economic disruption, warning that the club could wind up if the status quo remains.

He blamed the county government of Kisii for abandoning them at the hour of need and watching the club go down, and yet the government is aware of the financial woes the club is going through, leaving him stranded, stunned, stuck and only wishing for divine interventions.

“Shabana being a community club, the Kisii County should be in the front line to support the team, but they are not.

The stadium is under construction and closed. We are not supposed to use schools or college grounds.

The county is not giving us guidance or alternatives. We have not received the token pledged by the President or the former Prime Minister as well. We haven’t received Betika funds either.

The economic times are tough for managing the team. We are stuck between a rock and a hard place,” Nivaton said. He added: “I wish there is anything more I can offer as a chairman.

I have given it all since 2013. If we receive any financial assistance, of course, we will be able to honour matches this time.”