Good payday for Mulama at Mathare gala

Titus Brian Mulama dominated the Mathare United Football Club’s gala award night on Thursday, most significantly being named the former Premier League champions’ best player for the 2009 season.

The 29-year-old midfielder was also declared Fairplay Player of the Year on an evening that his club received a record sponsorship of Sh20m (in total) from Kenya Data Network for the 2010 season.

Besides this, Mulama, who has earned 56 international caps with the Harambee Stars, was named the best midfielder and also finished second on the top scorer’s chart with six goals to scoop a total of Sh70,000 at the ceremony held at a Nairobi hotel.

“Frankly speaking, it came as a surprise after having stayed out of the team for some time,” said an elated Mulama, who outclassed attacking midfilder Joseph Nyaga and goalkeeper Duncan Ochieng on the night.

“I expected maybe to settle for second and I am overwhelmed by the great honour.”

Mulama pledged to stay on at the club next season and propel them to Kenyan Premier League victory after the club relinquished their title to Sofapaka finishing second last season.

“With the kind of sponsorship we have received from KDN, we are on a roll and are bound to move mountains. I am determined to help Mathare reclaim the national title,” declared Mulama.

Mulama dedicated his award to his team mates and the technical bench.

“I would not have achieved this without the awesome team work,” said Mulama.

Mulama started his career with Mathare United in 1998 and played for them until 2006 before shifting his allegiance to APR FC of Rwanda in 2006.

He made a comeback at Mathare the same year after a short stint with APR but was on the move to Primeira Division League in Costa Rica with CS Herediano where he stayed until 2007.

In the same year, he joined Vasteras SK of Sweden where he was for the better part of 2008 before once again pledging his loyalty to Mathare United last year.

The Most Improved Player award went to Andrew Tololwa (striker) while Edgar Ochieng (defender) and Nyaga won the Most Appearance award.

Mathare United captain Anthony Kimani (defender) was declared the best defender while Ochieng was most oustanding between the posts.

The Top Scorer’s award went to Nyaga with seven goals. The sponsorship cheque of Sh15m and playing kit worth Sh5m was presented to Mathare United chairman, Bob Munro, by KDN’s chief marketing officer, Vincent Wang’ombe, in the presence of Sports minister Hellen Sambili.