Timely windfall: Volleyball team lands lucrative National Oil sponsorship ahead of World Championship qualifiers

 

The National Volleyabll Women Team poses for a picture shortly after recieving a sponsorship from National Oil worth ksh. 14million on 12-11-2014.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

The women's volleyball team can now focus on their training after National Oil Corporation of Kenya (Nock) agreed to sponsor them to a tune of Sh 42 millions.
The news comes as a major boost for the team, which is currently preparing for the World Championship qualifiers for Africa teams later this month.
The cash windfall will also mean that the national team will assume a new outlook and name dropping their African Queens tag to 'Mallkia Strikers'. The sponsorship will be worth Sh14 million per year for three years.
This has come in at a good time as team embarks on preparing for major international championships next year like the World Grand Prix and All African Games qualifiers.
Speaking while unveiling the sponsorship in a Nairobi hotel yesterday, National Oil Managing Director Sumayya Hassan-Athman expressed optimism the team will extend their winning streak to the global arena after dominating the African scene. Kenya have won the Africa Nations championships crown a record eight times.
"Our sponsorship today is aimed at reinvigorating the team. As you now embark on training ahead of the World Championships qualifiers this month, we are glad you will be able to concentrate and be able to excel," she said.
"As we offer this sponsorship today, we have no doubt that this team is among the favourites to secure one of the two slots reserved for African teams for the FIVB World Cup qualifiers. Our players can also make a resounding impact at the global arena."
Her sentiments were echoed by Cabinet Secretary for Sports Culture and Arts, Dr Hassan Wario, who said the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) has a role of investing heavily in the team to give them a chance against global volleyball superpowers like Russia, Brazil, USA, Japan and Italy.
"This team has continuously and almost without fail, represented the country ably at the continental level, and once again ruled the continent by clinching continental titles," said Wario.
"I am sure the windfall will go a long way in motivating the team as setting the pace for other sponsors to chip in. I believe this team has an enormous commercial potential. I therefore urge more firms to exploit the opportunity and use the volleyball brand to market their products beyond the country and help this team register more success," added Wario.
Wario gave an assurance the ministry will support KVF in its role of identifying, nurturing and developing talent, promoting volleyball and overseeing the sport in schools, colleges and other institutions.
National Oil also sponsors Motorsport and Kibera United FC.