By Nuru Salim
Kwale-based football giants S.S Assad F.C have received a much-needed financial boost of Ksh. 500,000 from the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Hon. Ali Hassan Joho, as the team battles financial constraints in the National Super League (NSL).
The team has previously received support from partners such as Base Titanium, the Kwale County Government and businesses.
However, the exit of Base Titanium marked a turning point to the club, triggering a severe financial crisis that has seen the club struggle to honor league fixtures.
Speaking through his representative Ali Masemo, CS Joho reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the club financially. βWe shall continue offering financial assistance to ensure S.S Assad remains stable and competitive in national football. The dedication of these young players towards football talent has kept many away from drugs and crime,β said Masemo.
Ali Masemo called upon all stakeholders across Kwale, the Coast region and the country at large to rally behind S.S Assad and revive it from the financial crisis. βWe urge everyone to support this team. The players have shown resilience and dedication, and supporting them means investing in our youth and in social stability,β he said.
He also reaffirmed their support as stakeholders until the team is able to achieve the goals they had set for themselves.
Also, plans are underway to hold a major fundraising event during the upcoming league break to bolster the clubβs finances. The goal, according to Masemo, is to ensure the team not only finishes the current season strong but also has the financial muscle to compete for more than three future seasons without disruption.
S.S Assadβs management, through Chairman Said Ali Majani, expressed gratitude for Johoβs timely intervention. βWe thank CS Joho for stepping in at a critical time. With this support, we can now honour our remaining four fixtures. Our appeal now is for him to fulfil his promise of organizing a grand harambee that we all look forward to,β Majani said.
The team has already missed several matches due to lack of transport and operational funds. A key match against MOFA United on 25thΒ January was cancelled, alongside home and away clashes with Muhoroni Youth.
Majani confirmed that the Ksh. 500,000 will be used to facilitate the remaining matches against Coast Stima this coming Sunday, Nairobi United on 8thΒ June, Migori Youth on 15thΒ June and their final match of the season against APS Bomet scheduled on 22ndΒ June.
Team captain Ali Juma joined in praising the minister, terming the donation as a lifesaver for the squad. βWe thank CS Joho for believing in us. This will motivate us to give our best on the pitch and push for better resultsβ he said.
The club has nurtured several promising talents, including Beja Nyamawi, a former S.S Assad star who now plays for Bandari FC and has recently been named in the Harambee Stars provisional squad that is set to play against Chad in Morocco.
Despite financial constraints and inconsistent performance this season, S.S Assad still firmly aims for promotion to the top-tier Kenya Premier League and also competing in Confederation of African Football (CAF) tournament.
