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Football legends praise Leonard Mbotela, urge State to build heroes' corner
Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President Eliud Owalo addressing journalist at the late veteran journalist Leonard Mambo Mbotela's resident at Nairobi Dam Estate in Lang'ata Road. He was flanked by Muhoroni MP Onyango Koyoo (left), Mambo's son Jimmy Mboleta (second left), Gor Mahia legend (John Bobby Ogolla (second right) among other legends.
Football fraternity on Thursday eulogised veteran broadcaster and commentator Leonard Mambo Mbotela as a person whose passion for football laid the foundation for the growth of the game at a time when technology was still not at an advanced stage.
Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President Eliud Owalo, led football legends in praising Mbotela’s efforts in development of the game in an event where calls for establishment of a hero’s corner also dominated.
Mbotela, a veteran journalist with KBC will be buried on Saturday at Langáta Cemetery, a move which has raised divergent opinion among Kenyans.
On Friday, a mass in his honour will be held at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi with government dignitaries expected to attend.
“Mbotela was a hero within the sports fraternity and his commentary in the 80’s made many of us here to develop love for football,” said Owalo who is in charge of performance and Delivery Management in the Executive Office of the President.
He was speaking when he led a team of former footballers who put Kenya on the map in the 70s and 80s in paying a visit to Mbotela’s family at their Nairobi Dam residence in Langáta Road.
The former ICT Cabinet Secretary took those present down the memory lane when he singled out when Harambee Stars played Uganda at the Nakivugo Stadium in 1982.
“In that team we have those who played in that tough match here. Mambo was on top of his game in his commentary and he was really held in high esteem to players
“Many of these players became known and famous in East Africa and beyond because of how Mambo commentated the matches. He really marketed these players,” added Owalo
Owalo’s sentiments were echoed by Muhoroni MP Onyango KÓyoo who said he will work on legislation for a legends corner to be erected so as to ensure legends like Mbotela are given a befitting send off.
“His prowess in making commentaries was unchallenged. I will be working on legislation to ensure that heroes are given a befitting send off in a hero’s corner,” said K’Oyoo.
Mbotela’s eldest son Jimmy eulogised his father as a football lover and agreed that a legislation which will see a hero’s corner established would help a lot in ensuring those who have helped this country are well recognised.
Josephat Murila ‘Controller’, John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla, experienced coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee said Mbotela helped build and shape their careers.
“All of us here admire Mbotela for the role he played when we were at the height of our profession. He was a father to us, easy going and very easy to mingle with despite his status in the society,” said Ogolla.
Among the heroes present were Mickey Weche “T9”, Sammy Owino “Kempes”, George Sunguti, Peter Otieno “Bassanga”, Micke Amwayi, David Ochieng “Kamoga”, Peter LichungU, Tobias Ocholla “Jua Kali”, Dennis Obua, Omar Shaban, Nick Okoth, John “Shotto” Lukoye and Micke Otieno.
