Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has settled for Friday, July 26th as the date to reward players and teams for their exemplary performances during the just concluded 2023/24 season.
A statement signed by Chief Executive Officer Barry Otieno says, the federation’s Awards Gala night will take place at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi.
“The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) is pleased to invite you to the FKF Awards Gala for the 2023/24 season,” read part of the statement seen by People Sport. “The gala will take place on Friday, July 26th. All teams and officials should start arriving at the venue as from 5.30pm.
“In light of this, kindly not that we have invited five top ranked teams in each FKF men Division One zone for the event, therefore, we request the presence of one representative per club, specifically, the club chairperson.”
The statement continued: “This gala is an opportunity to celebrate the achievenments and sportsmanship displayed throughout the 2023/24 FKF league season. Your presence will add significant value to this prestigious event.”
FKF further called on the clubs and those invited to confirm attendance for easier planning. “Please confirm attendance by submitting the name and contact information of the club representatives not later than Monday, July 22.
“We look forward to your presence at this celebratory evening.”
Part of the teams set to be rewarded include Gor Mahia for winning a record 21 Premier League titles (their second in a row), and Kenya Police, who won their maiden trophy – the domestic Mozzart Bet Cup – after beating KCB on penalties in the final.
Others are Kenya Police ladies team, who won the FKF women’s Premier League without losing a single game and their rivals Ulinzi Starlets, who bagged the domestic Cup – FKF Women’s Cup.
Gor Mahia coach Johnathan McKinstry., who left at the end of the season after taking charge at the Gambia national team, will fight it out for the men’s coach of the year award alongside Salim Babu of Police, and Robert Matano of Tusker FC. The women’s award could go to Beldine Odemba of Police after her team won the title with an unbeaten record.
Players will be rewarded for their indidivual brilliance, with Gor Mahia forward Benson Omalla, set to be feted for finishing the men’s season as the top scorer with 19 goals.
For winning the league, Gor Mahia will walk home with a cool Ksh5million. K’Ogalo dominance in the top-flight earned them a ticket to represent the country in the lucrative CAF Champions League while Police will feature in the Confederation Cup.
Gor Mahia recently took part in the 2024 edition of the CECAFA Kagame Cup where they failed to go past the group stage after losing the opener 1-0 against Red Arrows of Zambia, drawing 1-1 against ASAS Djibouti Telecom and lost 2-0 against Al Hilal of Sudan.
