Former Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards goalkeeper Mathews Ottamax has shared his thoughts on the postponement of the 98th edition of the Mashemeji Derby, suggesting that the change could have been avoided if authorities had considered alternative approaches to the World AIDS Day commemoration scheduled in Nairobi.
Ottamax, one of the few players to turn out for both of Kenya’s biggest football clubs and a member of the last AFC Leopards squad to win the league in 1998, believes that while the World AIDS Day celebrations are extremely important, the choice of venue and the timing of the preparations have unnecessarily interfered with the SportPesa league’s biggest fixture.
He argues that the commemoration could have been staged in a different county or incorporated into the derby itself to maximize awareness.
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Mathews Ottamax has shared his thoughts on the postponement of the 98th edition of the Mashemeji Derby
Commenting on the postponement, Ottamax noted;
“As it stands, the much-anticipated Mashemeji Derby will be a non-starter due to the unavailability of a match venue. This is attributed to the fact that the slated venue has been booked by the State House or the government to commemorate World AIDS Day, which is marked every year on December 1.
The day is significant globally as it creates awareness, shows solidarity, and commemorates those affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. It serves as a reminder that HIV is still a global health issue that requires ongoing prevention, treatment, and care efforts to end the epidemic.”
The former Harambee Stars goalkeeper further questioned why the event continues to be hosted in Nairobi when other counties carry a higher HIV prevalence rate.
“As a result, and with a lot of respect to this day, I have been taken to statistics as to why I feel this commemoration should have been taken elsewhere and outside Nairobi.”
“Nairobi has the highest number of persons affected with HIV/AIDS, but when it comes to prevalence, the county of Nairobi lies 4th or 5th behind Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Siaya and/or even 6th behind Busia county.” He added.
Ottamax believes moving the event to these counties would have offered greater impact, especially in areas with limited access to mainstream media.
“Therefore, due to scanty or lack of exposure to Internet, electronic and print media, I feel the government denies these other counties the opportunity of fair awareness when they stage the celebrations in Nairobi whose majority of its population can easily access the ceremony.
Through these medium unlike these other towns that are dominated by villages and the likely awareness they can get is by physical visits by the authorities.”
He stressed that counties such as Kisumu, Homabay, and Siaya have stadiums capable of hosting events of national interest.
“Kisumu, Homabay and Siaya boast of ‘international’ standards stadia, which I believe would attract the attention of the whole country if at all State House could polarise its whole apparatus in any of these counties to mark this very important day and away from Nairobi?”
Ottamax also argued that the Mashemeji Derby itself could have served as a powerful avenue for HIV/AIDS sensitization, given its massive following.
“I could be wrong, but I think the Mashemeji Derby could have been allowed to take place on the 29th November with World AIDS DAY as the theme in creating awareness, due to the derby’s magnitude to attract a large crowd, who are also very vulnerable.”
The derby was initially scheduled for Kasarani Stadium, but the venue was allocated to Nairobi United’s CAF Confederation Cup home match against AS Maniema Union.
Nyayo Stadium, the alternative venue, became unavailable due to preparations for the World AIDS Day state function, forcing Football Kenya Federation to postpone the fixture entirely.