Sofapaka land lucrative deal with Betika

SOFAPAKA FC- BETIKA SPONSORSHIP Sofapaka FC President Elly Kalekwa and players hold a Ksh.50million dummy cheque presented byBetika General Manager Lucy Muchira during Sponsorship agreement at Dusit D2 Hotel in Nairobi on Friday 31/03/17.Looking on is Coach Sam Ssimbwa(3rd L).PHOTO.BONIFACE OKENDO

Former Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Sofapaka have signed a three year Sh150million shirt sponsorship deal with betting firm Betika.

The club will receive Sh50million every year in a move that is expected to end their perennial financial problems.

Sofapaka were recently in the news after getting relegated from the top tier league for failing to get a license.

Betika General Manager Lucy Muchira said the sponsorship is in line with their vision to promote local sports.

“When we launched Betika, it was always our dream to be able to give back to our community by finding various ways to grow local sporting talent,” she said.

She added: “Betika selected Sofapaka due to its neutrality and as a club that embodies the Kenyan spirit. It is a club that came into the league and won it in its first attempt.”

Sofapaka chairman Elly Kalekwa said the new deal will help them meet club licensing requirements in future.

Meanwhile, KPL chairman Ambrose Rachier urged the government to promote betting companies in the country.

“I am surprised by the tax imposed on betting companies who have done a lot for our sports and should be encouraged.”

Elsewhere, AFC Leopards coach Stewart Hall says this Kenyan Premier League season will be an interesting one for the club he said had gone through “six difficult years.”

Hall was speaking at the club’s training base in Limuru after an Embakasi-based Leopards fan Steve Maina donated Sh100,000 with a promise of a further Sh200,000 should Leopards beat Nzoia United today at Machakos.

“It pleases me to see the unity of purpose in the team, the fans and supporters. Leopards have gone through difficult times but now we have rebuilt the squad, the technical bench and the Executive Committee is doing a lot to bring in sponsors, fans and supporters,” Hall said.

“It will be an interesting season. We want to build on the result against Nakumatt on opening day,” Hall said.

Leopards play new comers Nzoia United today at Machakos Stadium. Maina, the Leopards fan pledged to ferry fans from Embakasi Nairobi to Machakos. “We have lined up 10 buses. We want to encourage AFC Leopards to turn up in numbers,” Maina said.