Betting tax: Gor Mahia boss makes plea to government

Chairman Gor Mahia FC and Chairman KPL Ambrose Rachier (left) and Ronald Karauri CEO SportPesa Ronald Karauri share light moment during the unveiling of the annual SportPesa Cup tournament in Nairobi on Wednesday, May 24, 2017. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Gor Mahia charman Ambrose Rachier has called on the government to re-consider their stand on the 35 per cent tax on betting companies.

As one of the beneficiary of sponsorship offered by one of the gaming companies – SportPesa, Gor Mahia hugely depends on sponsorships and the chairman said: “The sports fraternity has been plunged into chaos as its key investors - gaming companies, face a bleak future in a new era of excessively high tax.”

“While we are appreciative of the fact that the government wants to set up a Sports Fund with the increased revenue from these companies, we are wary of implementation and modalities of this fund.

“It’s for this reason that we would like to implore the government to rethink this move which will be more harmful than helpful. Gor Mahia has been through thick and thin over the years. Before SportPesa, we struggled. We went from selling bread to raise funds for the club to remain operational and pay players’ salaries, to setting up an M-Pesa PayBill number,” Rachier told The Standard Sports.

“To have sponsors like SportPesa who not only offer financial support, but also capacity building is a big plus for any club not just Gor Mahia. SportPesa has gone the extra mile to ensure the club and its players as well as other Kenyan football players get several opportunities.

“Continental matches which are a source of pride for the nation are coming and traversing the continent to honour our fixtures is an expensive affair,” Rachier said.

SportPesa is the main sponsor for Gor Mahia and arch-rivals AFC Leopards and should they pullout, it will be a setback as they preparing to represent Kenya in continental football this year. [Tony Owori]