SuperSport could air Gor Mahia clash

Kenyan Premier League broadcast rights holders SuperSport are likely to resume live broadcast of matches involving Gor Mahia.

The South African pay satellite television channel will on Wednesday hold a press conference to announce plans for this weekend’s coverage of league action.

Only one league match, the mouth-watering clash between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards has been scheduled for this weekend.

SuperSport head of Africa, Gary Rathbone, last month stopped the television company’s broadcast of matches involving Gor Mahia following several acts of violence perpetrated by the club’s followers.

Rathbone then said the decision was made to protect SuperSport personnel and equipment from the violence. Gor Mahia have this season been involved in two serious acts of crowd violence.

Hooliganism by some Gor Mahia fans during their KPL Top Eight Knock-out tie with Ulinzi was the most damaging to property and reputation.

Marauding Gor yobs destroyed Nyayo Stadium property, Ulinzi team bus and private vehicles. A SuperSport employee was also injured and a camera damaged.

Gor Mahia, to their credit, have initiated unprecedented club measures to curb acts of hooliganism and other anti-social behaviour by their fans.

Part of the measures include identifying known trouble makers and giving their details to police for legal action, sensitising fans on the negative impact of violence at football stadiums and training crowd marshals to help arrest potentially volatile situations.

Security will be paramount for this fixture. The last tie between the two sides, held at Nyayo Stadium on October 23, ended in one of Kenya’s worst football tragedies.

Five fans were trampled to death in a stampede as the venue and security facilities got overwhelmed by a near capacity turn out.

Gor Mahia management has promised to do everything in its power to stop violent acts by supporters.