Kenya Breweries announces Sh115 million sponsorship to Kenyan rugby

Kenya Rugby Union-Chairman Oduor Gangla (R) receives a dummy sponsorship cheque from the Kenya Breweries 

The Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) has announced Sh115 million sponsorship to rugby in the country.

KBL, through its  Tusker brand, announced the deal on Friday to support various tournaments ran by the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU).

KBL indicated Sh37.5 million will support KRU in all its activities, including the men’s and women’s national Sevens and Fifteens teams.

The investment will also go into rugby clubs across the country as well as universities to grow and nurture rugby talent in Kenya.

Of the Sh37.5 Million,

-Sh20 million will go towards the Safari Sevens

- Sh10 million will go towards the Kenya Sevens team

- Sh5 million will go to international matches

- Sh2.5 million will go towards the Kenya Lionesses team

KBL Managing Director Jane Karuku said the deal will ensure that rugby is developed in the country.

 “On behalf the Kenya Breweries Limited, we are delighted to announce this investment in the sport of rugby in the country.

“Ours is not just an investment, it is also a deep commitment to growing and developing the sport of rugby in the country with both the present and the future in mind,” said Mrs Karuku.

Karuku added that the edition of Safari Sevens will return the tournament to its former glories. The Sevens teams kick off preparations for the Olympic qualifiers to be held later in the year.

“We want to see the Safari Sevens this year, getting back to its former glory, when it was the Tusker Safari sevens that is why we have also set aside part of our investment to ensure that we achieve this,” she said.

KRU Chairman Oduor Gangla also thanked Tusker for the support given to the sport.

“Tusker has been associated with the Safari Sevens in different capacities for over twenty years, as the Title Sponsor and as the Official Alcoholic Beverage partner. It is very reassuring to see them continue to support this event.

“It promises to be a great march forward for players and fans and we thank Tusker for their continued belief and support of the Kenya Rugby Union,” Gangla said.

Rugby action moves to Nakuru, on the 21st of September, where the Kenya Simbas will host Zimbabwe in their last fixture of the 2019 Victoria Cup, with the Safari Sevens slated for the 18th to 20th of October.