Kenyan Premier League renews ball deal with Puma

FKF Chairman Sam Nyamweya, left, and Mohamed Omar FKF NEC Member during a meeting in Nairobi. They annonced that the Kenya Premiere League, KPL, will be rebranded to FKF Premiere League. 2nd November, 2014. Photo/Jonah Onyango.

Kenyan Premier League (KPL) has for the fourth year running signed an official match ball deal with Puma.
This year’s deal will see the sports equipment company supply 500 balls to be used in this season’s KPL.

The initial deal was signed in 2012 and both parties expressed delight at the renewal and hope to get better this time around though its value was not revealed.

According to Puma General Manager for Middle East and East Africa Oliver Wirth, the 2015 ball which depicts the KPL logo is a hand-stitched match ball, constructed from 32 panels with equal surface areas for reduced seam stress and a near perfect round shape.

“We are delighted to be launching the 2015 KPL ball in Kenya as we strive to continue the success of 2014. “PUMA has a long-standing history with both Africa and African football and is privileged to be official Ball Sponsor for the Kenyan Premier League,” he said.

Both the KPL chairman Ambrose Rachier and Chief Executive Jack Oguda said the sponsorship has given the league a competitive edge.
“The fact that we use a standard ball in all our matches can only be good for the league in terms of competition and other aspects,” they said. Speaking at the same function, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Sam Nyamweya urged the company to consider supporting the lower leagues in the same way.

“Since Puma came to the local scene in 2012, we have worked well with them and as I did last year, I want to urge that they consider working with the lower leagues,” he said.

On the raging debate about the composition of the KPL this season, Nyamweya said there is light at the end of the tunnel as they are about to reach an agreement with the league body.

“We are in fruitful consultations with KPL and very soon we will have an amicable way forward for the league. There is no cause for alarm as we are both determined to resolve this matter quickly,” he said.

Elsewhere, KPL champions Gor Mahia ensured they did not return to Nairobi empty-handed after they beat Mombasa Combined 2-1 in a build-up friendly match at Mombasa County Stadium on Sunday.

Zacharia Taofic scored Gor’s first goal before Mombasa Combined levelled in the 14th minute through former Harambee Stars captain Robert Mambo. Gor coach Frank Nuttal pulled out Ronald Omino for Ali Obondo who netted Gor’s winner in the 80th minute.