Between 2017 and 2019, Gor Mahia’s youth team was struggling financially. The team was on its death bed, a step a way from being disbanded.
The team could not honour its fixtures in Nairobi Sub-County league, and there was no money to sustain it. With basics such as drinking water hard to come by, the young players felt abandoned and lost.
Then Sam Ochola appeared on the scene. Being passionate about football, he bailed out the team, paid players’ allowances, and facilitated the team to honour its remaining fixtures over three years with money from his own pocket.
Gor Mahia Youth, coached by former Kenyan international Tobias Ochola, currently play in FKF Division Two league.
Ochola, who is currently Gor Mahia’s Secretary General, is contesting the presidency in Football Kenya Federation elections slated for December 7.
He singles out this act of kindness as a sign of his commitment to talent development in Kenyan football. Among the players at Gor’s youth team at the time who have made it to the senior team are Harambee Stars midfielder Alpha Onyango, second-choice goalkeeper Caleb Otieno, Alphonce Omija who played in the Omani league, and Armenia-based Harambee Stars player Amos Nondi.
“My record in developing grassroots football speaks for itself. The talent I have helped nurture is here for everyone to see. Grassroots football and talent development is at the heart of player transition in the national team,” says Ochola, who was elected Gor Mahia’s Secretary General unopposed in August 2020.
Ochola also bailed out Muhoroni Youth at a time when the club was a force to reckon with in the top league and featured some of the best football talent from Nyanza region and Western Kenya.
In his 10-point campaign agenda, Ochola, 54, uses the slogan “Mpira Pesa” as a rallying call to ensure that all players get value for their football talent right from the grassroots.
“I’m committed to raising the standard of Kenyan football. To develop grassroots football, I plan to allocate funds for youth football development to each of the 48 FKF branches every year. This will provide financial support to the teams, and will work in collaboration with CAF and FIFA programmes that focus on youth football development," Ocholla said.
He has also promised to devolve resources and administration of football, sponsorship and partnership, and to improve efficiency and professionalism in the running of FKF competitions. He hopes to institute best auditing and governance practices at FKF.
Ocholla is keen to develop local sports infrastructure, to grow and expand women’s football, and to support integrity and professionalism in match officiating.
He has also proposed to put the Kenya Premier League Limited in charge of the top league, and to make the federation effective.
“I will allow other leagues like National Super League and the Women Premier League to self-manage their leagues in terms of sponsorship and TV rights. This is crucial for their growth and sustainability,” says Ochola.
Should he be elected to the role, he plans to visit FKF’s 48 branches to get the work started.
“Even if we have sponsorship (for the league), where will the matches be played? We must ensure each county has at least a stadium in good shape because Kenyans love football. We only need to improve the match venues,” said Ochola.
During his four-year stint at Gor Mahia, Ochola takes pride in having streamlined player transfer process, and rogue individuals no longer sign average players at the club with the view of reaping financial benefits.
“I have fought cartels, reduced hooliganism, supported the cause to make the team financially stable, and I have set up Gor Mahia Media department. Generally, I have streamlined the transfer business of players in and out of the club,” he says
Ochola is a business man with interest in the media. He owns Dala FM and Lolwe TV which broadcast in Luo language in Kisumu. He also runs a media marketing agency. Ochola is married with children.
Ochola holds a holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from United States International University - Africa, and is an alumnus of Kisumu Boys High School. He was born in Gem Constituency in Siaya County.
