KPL networked

By Gilbert Wandera

It will be more money for Premier League clubs after Kenya Data Networks (KDN) paid Sh13.5million to become broadcast partners of the league.

The money will mostly be used to support live relay of league matches on Super Sport.

This is the second significant investment in football by KDN. The company last month announced a Sh20 million sponsorship deal for former league champions Mathare United.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kai Wulff while announcing the sponsorship said it was necessitated by the desire to put the country on the world map.

He said: "We have seen the huge potential in Kenyan football and want the whole world to see it. This new partnership will make it possible."

Under the deal, KDN will have almost exclusive broadcast rights during live matches, but other companies can still come on board.

Live Matches

SuperSport will this year double the number of live matches to between 60-80 and even areas far off from Nairobi will also have a chance to host several of the league ties.

Wulff said they are not in football just for a short time, but are interested in making it grow to the highest level.

"Our business by nature is for long time and it is the same vision we are bringing into football," he said.

He also hinted that KDN could in future consider supporting the national team Harambee Stars but only when they are convinced their money goes to the intended purpose.

Stephen Isaboke the General Manager Multichoice Kenya said they are excited that companies are beginning to support local football three years after they signed a broadcast rights deal with KPL.

"For us we are seeing the birth of what we were intending to achieve through this partnership. We invite more companies to come on board and support the league," he said.

More money

Isaboke said this year they have increased allocation to KPL and some of the Sh13.5 million from KDN will go to the club’s kitty.

"KPL will receive Sh94million this year as part of our sponsorship. This is a six percent increase in our annual allocation and clubs should have more money," he added.

KPL Managing Director Jack Oguda revealed that the process of getting a title rights sponsor was still on course and several companies have shown interest.

"We are working hard to get a title sponsor and we thank companies like KDN for showing faith in our brand," said Oguda.