Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Randy Ochieng

  • Budgeting and Debt management lessons for City Stars players

    Budgeting and Debt management lessons for City Stars players

    The Jonathan Jackson Foundation (JJF), called in Nairobi City Stars players, members of the technical as well as management team, for a workshop themed “How to budget and manage debts”.

    The seminar, held at the World Hope Centre on Tuesday 15 February 2021, handed the City Stars family vital tips on financial management which anchored on credit access.

    The latest topic follows up on two others within the last four months where players were encouraged to venture into business and handed tips on how to save.

    “The objective of the meet-up was to motivate NCS players and bench to adopt a budgeting habit and to be financially conscious when it comes to credit as this will make their financial goals achievable,” said Randy Ochieng, the JJF Business Development Manager who spearheaded the seminar

    City Stars boss encourages players to venture into business, pledges support

    JJF CEO Diana Sifuna drummed up the context of the ongoing seminars to City Stars family that will, on average, be held each month tackling important topics at a time

    “JJF seeks to empower women, youth and people abled differently.
    The Foundations’ work revolves around three pillars; Economic empowerment, humanitarian aid and sports,”

    “The Foundation therefore, through the economic pillar, aims to help grow individual and group enterprises by training the members on best entrepreneurial practices that are sustainable and to also encourage the creation of sustainable jobs,”

    “Getting to business for those yet to, and growing what already existing bussinesses, tackling how and the need to save, as well as budgetting and debt management are just part of the areas we wish to enlighten Nairobi City Stars players on,”

    City Stars players receive tips on how to save

    Part of the sub topics tackled included factors one has to consider before chosing to borrow to avoid being victims of it, challenges of borrowing which is a real concern.

    Debt delinquency, which is when payment is not made by the due date or the end of the. “grace period” as established in a loan or repayment, was a sub topic covered.

  • City Stars players receive tips on how to save

    City Stars players receive tips on how to save

    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.

  • City Stars boss encourages players to venture into business, pledges support

    City Stars boss encourages players to venture into business, pledges support

    Nairobi City Stars owner Jonathan Jackson has offered to guide all Nairobi City Stars players plus members of the technical bench into business to shape them for life after football.

    The real estate mogul said this during a luncheon held on Saturday 20 November 2021 at one of his business premises in Upper Hill, Nairobi.

    According to Jonathan, the time to think of business is now, and he has committed to support those with businesses, or that intend to start any, with direct support.

    The support will include issuing guarantees for those who wish to seek loans from the institutions where they will be seeking financing.

    Through the office of Business Development Officer at the Jonathan Jackson Foundation (JFF) Randy Ochieng, all those within the Nairobi City Stars setup have been asked to present their business proposals, either current or startup ideas for evaluation and forward planning.

    “It makes me happy that you are currently doing well in the league. But while I am happy now, I am concerned at what your lives will be like after football because there is just a short time between when you are at the top of your game and when you are not,” said Jonathan

    “I want all of you to build your future, to plant a seed now by actively starting a business that can help you make money to give you a standing in the society,”

    “You’ve all made me happy in the recent past and it is now my turn to make you happy by giving you support to do business,”

    “Through the Foundation want to show you how to start a business, how to run it and for those with business we want to help you grow it,” added Jonathan who has been in Construction business for close to 40 years

    Whilst talking of the future, Jonathan asked players to adapt a saving culture as this was the first step towards planning for a financial future

    “It is important to plan your future now, and not tomorrow. The first steps are to start saving as this becomes the first step to raising capital towards a business,”

    Ramping up Jonathan’s sentiments at the event was Randy who said;

    “When thinking business is starts with a valid idea which could be a passion. Picking a good location is very key and finally, and most importantly, finding the capital,”

    “And the three ways of finding capital is by saving, inheritance and loans. By setting aside some amount, savings becomes one of the best ways of accumulating capital,” he added before stating the need to look at all ideas and businesses already in place to identify the areas of need

    Simba wa Nairobi head coach Nicholas Muyoti who also attended the function appreciated the Chairman’s gesture:

    “I have been to many teams as a player and as a coach and the reality is that teams will use you then at some point get others to replace you,”

    “I am really humbled that the chairman Jonathan holds his players dearly and is ready to hold their hands in business ventures of their choice. I encourage all of them to take advantage of the chairman’s pledge and get started in business.”

    Team coordinator Samson Otieno added his voice stating: “The core of JJF is to better the lives of those in the community. You are the heart of the community and the opportunity presented by the Chairman is yours for the taking.” Said Otieno

    Jonathan acquired City Stars in April 2019 to help support the Foundation. In two and a half years, the team has progressively risen from a relegation team in the second tier, to winning it the next season to land in the topflight where the team is now a competitive one.