Live within your means, stop bad habits such as alcoholism, stop being over-generous, learn to plan (budget), stop impulse (unplanned) purchases and buying excesses, as well as cut down on unnecessary expenses.
Those were choice words handed to Nairobi City Stars players and technical bench during a workshop on how to save held in World Hope Centre on Wednesday 12 January 2022.
The clubs’ bankroller Jonathan Jackson Foundation (JJF), through its economic Empowerment pillar, called out the aforementioned as part of the hindrances that stop many players, and athletes as a whole, from saving their hard-earned monies thereby failing to plan for a future.
During the Wednesday meet-up, JJF’s Business Development Manager (BDM) Randy Ochieng, reiterated the importance of financial management, and planning.
“The ultimate aim of the workshop was to inculcate the savings culture among the City Stars family as well as highlight suitable savings channels to the members to enable them to build up their savings for future purposes,” said Randy
“Among the areas we looked at was the importance of saving, factors that determine ability to save, as well as pillars and channels of saving whether formal or informal and the challenges of savings,”
Virtually all players agreed the seminar was an eye-opener and speaking at the event, these are some of the sentiments that came out;
“I am learning early, that for a good future I have to start saving what I earn now,” said teenager Timothy Babu Ouma
His senior Peter Pinchez Opiyo echoed Babu’s sentiments by saying; “This is an eye-opener, and it is very clear that saving calls for discipline and sacrifice. My take-home is, you have to start saving what you have now, and not tomorrow.”
Head coach Nicholas Muyoti, a former Kenya captain and international said;
“Most of what was highlighted at the seminar are things players can relate to. We thank the Jonathan Jackson Foundation for bringing this to light and we hope from today onwards we can pick up the saving culture by embracing proper financial management.” Added Muyoti
BDM Randy asked those at the seminar to acquire the culture of saving, discipline that includes deliberate effort not to withdraw saved money before a set objective is met, need to always budget, need to cut down on luxuries and unnecessary expenses e.g. use of cheaper means of transport, or walking home from training.
Diana Sifuna, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at JJF had the following closing remarks:
“The topic of the day and the teachings from the BDM is of great importance and if well embraced, will shape the future of the players and coaches,”
“I am happy at the uptake of the discussions based on the open intearctivity at the workshop. On behalf of the Foundation, I thank all those that attended,” said Diana before adding;
“In due course, the Foundation will engage the players and coaches in yet another life-changing workshop that aligns with our existing pillars.”
The latest seminar followed up on one in late November where club owner Jonathan Jackson promised to support any of his players and coaching staff who wished to venture into business.