Betin signs deal with football star Mariga

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Former Kenyan international Macdonald Mariga has signed a one-year deal as brand ambassador for local bookmaker Betin.

He becomes the second former international to sign such a deal with a betting company after Betway, another bookmaker, signed up Dennis Oliech.

Betin said they are excited about the association with Mariga (pictured) and hopes it will promote grassroots football.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Mariga into the Betin family. We share in his aim to support and uplift grassroots football in Kenya. His international success is a story that will inspire a generation of players around the country for years to come,” said Betin Managing Director L. Giovando.

Mariga said he is glad to be back home and working with Betin. “It’s great to be back home and working with one of the most exciting brands in Kenya. My focus is to continue to uplift young Kenyan footballers and help them realise their dreams,” he said.

Mariga has a football career spanning 12 years. He started off playing for Ulinzi Stars before joining Tusker FC. He then went on to represent Kenya Pipeline while still in school. The central midfielder then moved to Sweden for two years before moving to Italy, where he won the Champions League medal under Jose Mourinho (now Manchester United manager) at Inter Milan.

In March 2010, Mariga became the first Kenyan to play in the UEFA Champions League when he came on as a substitute against Chelsea in the Round of 16, and against Barcelona in the semi-final.