Gor coach says family ailments have forced him to take ‘leave’

James Magayi and Charles Thuku @PeopleSports 11

Gor Mahia’s Turkish tactician Hassan Oktay has a litany of family issues dogging him back home. 

Having always lived with his mother’s paralysis and his father’s cancer, things took a turn for the worst when Oktay’s sister, trusted to keep an eye on the parents fell into depression.

The deeply religious Oktay was overwhelmed and has taken a break from his duties at K’Ogalo to tend to his family, raising all manner of rumours. 

Oktay, who also led Gor to the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final last season, dismissed the talk doing rounds in football that he has quit his job but admitted to the possibility of leaving altogether if things come to a head. 

“I have not been contacted by any club contrary to what people think and say. I would disclose if there was an offer,” Oktay told People Sport yesterday.

He added: “My leave is purely on family issues that I must go and assess. I love Gor Mahia so much because it is a family and have made me feel at home in Kenya. 

The fans have been awesome and the club officials have done their very best even in difficult times to keep the team afloat and operational.” 

Meanwhile, Gor have dismissed reports that the team’s celebrated striker Dennis Oliech has temporarily been tasked with the deputy coaching duties following the unavailability of Oktay.

The team’s Chief Executive Officer Lordvick Aduda termed the reports as baseless, saying: “The report that are contained in a portal purporting that Oliech has been given the onus of deputy coach should be treated with the contempt it deserves.”

“Oliech has no semblance of a trainer and remains a Gor player contrary to what appeared in the story.” 

Aduda said Oliech has had the bandage on his hand recovered after sustaining an injury in a league match last season and is doing light training with the team, ready to resume action once he fully recuperates.

Commenting on the issue of Oktay, Aduda said the club’s executive gave the tactician consent to go home where his parents and sister are ailing, adding that they expect him to return to his duties at Gor after sorting out those problems with his Patrick Odhiambo taking charge in his absence. 

Oktay arrived in Kenya last year destined for Mathare United but ended up at Gor following Dylan Kerr’s unexpected departure. While the departed Briton worked without a contract at K’Ogalo, Oktay penned a two-year deal.

Unlike his predecessor, Oktay often works for months without pay but hardly makes a circus in the media.