- SportPesa will become the official main sponsors of the Kisii-based club.
- The 3-year deal is expected to kick off immediately from the upcoming 24/25 season kicking off on 24 August.
- The move will see Shabana becoming the third topflight club under SportPesa’s wings after Gor Mahia and Murang’a Seal.
Leading online gaming firm SportPesa unveiled a 75,000,000 million partnership deal on Thursday afternoon to take over as the main sponsor of Football Kenya Federation Premier League side Shabana FC.
The game-changing sponsorship will see SportPesa take helm of the Kisii-based side for the next three seasons with the partnership taking effect right from the 24/25 topflight campaign kicking off on 24 August.
In the unveiling ceremony graced by club patron Hon Simba Arati, who is also the current Kisii Governor, SportPesa affirmed its commitment to growing Kenya’s sporting ecosystem as Shabana become the third topflight club under its wings after record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia and Murang’a Seal.
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“Today marks another big milestone for us in the sponsorships and partnerships realm. We have been in this game for a while and going forward, the Shabana management, players and fans should know that they have a reliable partner who can guarantee to walk the journey with them.
“Shabana have one of the most passionate fans in the country and we would love to see Shabana competing to the continental levels where some of our other sponsored teams are also playing,” SportPesa Head of Operations Bernard Chauro commented.
Shabana management receive dummy cheque
On his part, Arati lauded SportPesa’s latest move even as he urged the club to spend the money prudently.
“This is a big event for us. I am happy as the patron of Shabana and I want to thank SportPesa for this partnership with us.
I want to assure fans that I will also continue supporting the club in my capacity. To the management, please let us keep this money safe from vultures who will walk in and try to bring a lot of fights,” Arati said.
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Shabana chairman Jared Nivaton said: “I am very humbled because this is a very significant milestone for the club. This partnership aligns with our shared vision with SportPesa in the growth of football and the youth in this country.
I want to promise as the Shabana fraternity that we will deliver and we will make you proud for getting into this partnership.”
Tore Bobe, who boast of one of the best and most loyal following across the country, made their return to the Kenya Premier League in the 23/24 campaign after a 17-year hiatus and managed to overcome the first step of a newly promoted side by staying in the topflight.
This is after battling to a 14th-placed finish under the guidance of former Kenyan international Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo.
They are set for a much promising sophomore season in the 24/25 season that kicks off on 24 August following a raft of impressive signings that has seen the club so far rope in the services of Elvis Osok and Titus Achesa from Posta Rangers and Kevin Omundi from the Mully Children’s Family (MCF).
Other players include Cliff Nyakeya and Maxwell Muchesia from AFC Leopards, Atariza Meja from Bandari, Mark Ochieng from Murang’a Seal and James Mazembe from KCB as well as Sam Kintu and Shem Odinga.
Shabana kick off their 24/25 season with an away clash against Bidco United scheduled to be played at Thika Stadium on Saturday 24 August.
ALSO READ: SportPesa launch revolutionary Tujiamini Initiative to nurture talent
Tujiamini is an initiative that seeks to provide a platform, including up to 30M shillings in funding, for individual, team sports and various talent, in a year-long campaign that will go around the country in a move aimed at evoking the sense of pride in Kenya’s sports and talent ecosystem.
Applicants are urged to submit their applications through www.tujiamini.co.ke