AFC Leopards Chairman Dan Shikanda has expressed his excitement ahead of the club’s first-ever Player Awards Gala set for Wednesday, August 21 2024 in Nairobi.
The event, organized by the U45 Unit Branch, will recognise the outstanding contributions of players, fans, and branches that defined a rollercoaster 2023/24 season for Kenya’s second most successful club.
Leopards started their campaign with much optimism but struggled for momentum during the first half of the season. However, a strong second-half comeback saw the team finish fourth in the league and reach the semifinals of the cup competition.
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“If there’s one word that continues to define this club, it’s resilience,” Shikanda noted during a press briefing a week before the awards.
“We all know the challenges we faced during the early stages of the season, but the fans never gave up and the players responded. It’s only fair that we organize this event to celebrate everyone who makes this club unique,’’ he added.
The gala represents a milestone moment in the club’s history, providing a platform to honor the hard work and dedication of players and the passion of fans who together work to steer the club forward.
The awards ceremony will feature five distinct categories, each designed to acknowledge the diverse contributions within the club. They include Player of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season, Fans’ Player of the Season, Fan of the Year and Branch of the Year, the latter recognizing the branch that has shown exceptional commitment to supporting the club.
Alex Muteshi, the club’s Patron, emphasized the event’s broader significance, stating: “This gala is more than a celebration of our club’s rich legacy and the incredible efforts of those who make AFC Leopards what it is.
“I am especially pleased to see a category for rewarding our fans. Every club can play football, but not every fan can play Isikuti the Leopards way.”
Olympia Musonye, Chairperson of the U45 Branch, the key organizers, added: “Organizing this gala is our way of giving back to the club and celebrating the hard work of our players, fans, and branches. We hugely welcome support from corporates and individuals from across the divide and hope this is the beginning of bigger things for the club and Kenyan football as a whole.”
Among the players who will be contesting for the top honours include the talented Kayci Odhiambo, Vincent Mahiga, evergreen winger Clifton Miheso and forward Victor Omune.
The Branch of the Year category has attracted dozens of entries representing the national face of the club. They include Baba Dogo, Bungoma, Githurai, Kajaido, Kawangware, Toronto-Canada, Facebook Branch, Kitengela, Kayole among others.
The awards gala night will be held just two days before Ingwe kick off their 2024-25 Kenyan Premier League season away to promoted side Mathare United on August 25.
About U45 Branch
The U45 Unit branch was established in the year 2024, inspired by the 60-year history of AFC Leopards and the rich history of its loyal fan base. U45 Unit was established to embrace fans across the location divide as well as the tribe divide to accommodate fans beyond the traditional AFC fan base largely derived from the Luhya community.
This mandate was meant to not only bring-in the non-Luhya, non-location affiliated fan base onboard the AFC Leopard ship, but to also make them feel at home and extend the club’s support to higher/wider reach with the same spirit and comfort as fans from the traditional fan base in other branches.
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