Gor Mahia head coach Hassan Oktay rejoicing after being named April Fidelity Insurance Coach of the Month. Photo/SJAK
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 23 – A day after sealing the 2018/19 Kenyan Premier League title, Gor Mahia tactician Hassan Oktay has crowned his moments by winning the Fidelity Insurance Coach of the Month for April in a ceremony held at the Camp Toyoyo ground on Thursday morning.
This is the second time Oktay is bagging the award this season after collecting it in February to make him the first coach to win it twice in one season.
Cypriot said it was made possible by his entire technical bench that has assistant Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno, goalkeeper trainer Willis Ochieng and Team Manager Jolawi Abondo among others.
“This award goes to my team and technical bench, they all have made this possible. The award is so special to me because it comes a day after winning the Kenyan Premier League title. Thank you sponsors and SJAK for recognizing our effort,” an elated Oktay said after receiving the award from Fidelity Insurance Marketing Manager Nicholas Malesi.
To take the accolade that was accompanied with Ksh 75,000 and a personalized trophy, Oktay weeded off competition from AFC Leopards’ Cassa Mbungo and Kakamega Homeboyz’s Nicholas Muyoti.
Gor Mahia head coach Hassan Oktay with his players after winning April Fidelity Insurance Coach of the Month Award. Photo/SJAK
Oktay steered mighty Gor to six wins and two draws to ensure they remained on top of the table and stay alive to retaining the league for a third successive year.
K’Ogalo started the month with a 2-1 win over Nzoia Sugar in Kisumu before beating Sony Sugar 3-2, then drew 1-1 draw against Kakamega Homeboyz.
It was then followed by a similar score line of 1-1 stalemate when they took on Ulinzi Stars. K’Ogalo would then gather themselves and squeeze one past Bandari in a 1-0 result before they were awarded a walkover against already relegated Mount Kenya United.
Gor then won 2-0 win over Tusker FC before wrapping the month with a 2-1 triumph over Ulinzi Stars.
Gor Mahia head coach Hassan Oktay receives a personalised plaque from Fidelity Insurance Marketing Manager Nicholas Malesi at Camp Toyoyo when he was crowned April Coach of the Month. Photo/SJAK
“This is a splendid performance from Gor, we were here in February and today we are back, that shows that you guys (Gor) don’t have competition in the league, congratulations for winning a record 18th KPL title. As Fidelity Insurance, we will continue to support the initiative to see our football standards grow,” Malesi said.
“I know urge you to scale it up and shine in continental football as well,” Malesi added.
The Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Football Commission selects the winners every month.
Oktay becomes the fifth recipient of the award in the ongoing 2018-2019 season after Western Stima’s Paul Ogai, Bandari’s Bernard Mwalala, Mathare United’s Francis Kimanzi and John Baraza of Sofapaka.
