Betting woes: Heavy tax on betting chase sponsors, says Kidero

Kidero: High taxes discourage sponsors

Nairobi County Governor Dr Evans Kidero shake hands with Ze Maria (left) Coach Gor Mahia FC accompanied by Musa Mohamed Captain Gor Mahia (second left) and Midfieldplayer and Captain AFC Duncan Otieno (right0 when the county governor boosted them ahead of the 'Mashemeji Derby in Nairobi, on Saturday, APRIL 4, 2017. {PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has called on the Government to reverse the proposed 50 per cent tax on betting companies. He said the proposed tax were unrealistic and would impact negatively on local sports development. While he cited decision by pay television SuperSport to pull the pluck on Kenyan Premier League (KPL), Kidero said heavy tax levies on betting firms would set a bad precedence in local sports arena.

“Right now, KPL is not beamed live on TV. Leave alone the continent but the world over following SuperSport’s exit. What would happen to our sport if firms like SportPesa pull out? So far, SportPesa has invested heavily in KPL, rugby, boxing, rally,” said Kidero.

Scholarships for best players

He spoke at Kasarani Stadium on Friday afternoon when he awarded 170 teams for winners and runners up in ward finals of the ongoing Nairobi Governor’s Cup football tournament. Winners from the 85 wards received Sh50, 000 while runners up took home Sh20, 000. The tournament is in the sub county level where the winners will proceed to county contests, which is iced with Sh1.5million top prize.

“Besides intending to award sub county and county winners and runners up, we will also select ten best players for a lucrative scholarship deal after the tournament,” said Kidero, who pledged Sh15million for the teams’ logistics in their various leagues in Nairobi. Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Vice President Doris Petra asked the Nairobi County to promote teams in FKF leagues.

“Tournaments are seasonal but leagues are long-term. We request support to pay affiliation fees and uniforms for teams in their various leagues,” said Petra. [Erick Ochieng’]