Volleyball: National Oil renews Sh42m deal for Malkia

National Oil CEO Ms Maryjane Mwangi and Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Chairman Mr. Waithaka Kioni unveil the new Malkia Strikers playing jersey during a breakfast hosted by National Oil for the Malkia Strikers. National Oil have signed a sponsorship agreement with KVF worth Ksh 42M for three years to become The Principal Sponsor of the Malkia Strikers. Looking on is National Oil Ag. Head of Legal Affairs Ms. Gladys Koletit and KVF official

The National Oil Corporation of Kenya (NOCK) has renewed its sponsorship deal with the women’s national volleyball team, Malkia Strikers.

The new sponsorship worth Sh42 million unveiled in Nairobi yesterday expires in 2021.

The news come as a major boost for the team, which is currently preparing for World Championship slated for September 28-October 20 in Japan. Malkia strikers have been without a sponsor for one year since their initial deal with NOCK elapsed in September 2016.

The new deal worth Sh14 million a year, will see the national team don the National Oil branded kit for their international tournaments.

Speaking during the unveiling ceremony, National Oil Chief Executive Officer Ms Maryjane Mwangi, assured the nine -ime African champions of the company’s continued support.

“As a Corporation, we also believe this investment in the Malkia Strikers is instrumental in promoting volleyball and by extension sport in Kenya. Sports in the world’s greatest activity that unites people irrespective of their race, tribe, gender or political affiliation,” said Mwangi.

“Sports sponsorship is also a platform that we have envisioned to be a great business investment for our brand. We are confident we can tap into the team’s fan base and supply our products to them. This will therefore grow our overall business and corporate brand visibility and go a long way in fulfilling our Corporate Social Investment promise to Kenyans.”

Kenya Volleyball Federation Chairman Waithaka Kioni welcomed back their long-time sponsors, urging other corporates to also come on board.

“It is a big boost particularly as the team prepares for the World Championship this year. Together with the government’s support, this sponsorship will go a long way in helping our team prepare adequately for the competition,” Kioni told The Standard Sports.

“We are planning to send the team to Japan ten days earlier to enable them play build up matches with some of the Japanese teams.” The official further revealed the federation’s upcoming busy calender that will see them send two teams (men and women) to Burundi for the East African Community games as well as host the U20 Women’s Africa Nations Championship in Nairobi.

The East African Community Games and AFCON will be held on 16-30 August and 17-26 August respectively.

“August is going to be a very busy month for us. We have four teams preparing for different competitions. With adequate funding, we hope to excel in all of them,” said Kioni.

Malkia Strikers captain Mercy Moim also could not hide her joy. 

“On behalf of my team members, I would like to thank National Oil for this long-term commitment in sponsoring our team activities. Through this partnership, the ladies feel confident of the growth and development of the volleyball sport. The team promises to put its best foot forward and bring the World Cup home,” underlined Moim.