Leading online gaming firm SportPesa has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Kenya’s sporting ecosystem after signing a 10-year partnership deal with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
The game-changing deal, worth 1.12 billion shillings, grants SportPesa the exclusive title rights to Kenya’s top-tier football league commencing the 25/26 season and marks the company’s return after its initial stint from July 2015 to November 2019 which marked unprecedented success.
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony held in Nairobi, SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri expressed his delight in once again kickstarting the journey to restoring the glory days in Kenyan football.
“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with the Football Kenya Federation, building on the success we achieved together in the past. Football in Kenya can reclaim its lost glory, and we are starting this journey today. Over the years, we will steadily make great progress and strides.
In the yesteryears, we have seen our leagues at their best. Nothing stops us from getting there, once again. I personally believe some of our top talents across various sporting disciplines are part of Kenya’s exports to the world,” he said.
“We are at the Rebuilding Phase. With our strong belief in winning partnerships, we will not walk this journey alone. Together with FKF, the football clubs and the entire football community, including the fans, we aim to work closely to understand the challenges, find solutions and get back to where we belong.
While our major leagues have been without a Title Partner for so many years, we have seen how much that has slowed down our growth to becoming football heavyweights.
This is a leap of faith we have taken as a company. It is also a rallying call for other corporates to join us and collectively achieve the dreams we yearn for. We can never do it alone; it is only when many of us come together that we will share the load.
We wish you all the best as Kenya comes together to rally behind the Harambee Stars as they compete in the CAF African Nations Championship beginning this weekend,” he concluded.
FKF President Hussein Mohammed hailed the deal as a milestone moment for football in the country.
“A transformative chapter begins for Kenyan football. We extend our gratitude to SportPesa for their belief in our vision through this partnership. After enduring challenges in attracting private sector backing, SportPesa’s renewed faith signals a turning point for Kenyan football’s future,”
“Football Kenya Federation sees this partnership as a crucial advancement in attracting more collaborations. We are resolutely committed to upholding the confidence you’ve placed within our hands as we look forward towards a long-lasting partnership.”
The FKF Premier League sponsorship by SportPesa is expected to significantly enhance the commercial and competitive landscape of the league, with a direct impact on players, clubs and fans alike.
60% of the sponsorship will go directly to the clubs in the FKF Premier League as grants, with the remaining 40% allocated to administrative and operational costs to ensure the efficient running of the competition.
The long-term partnership marks a new era of financial stability and growth for Kenya’s top-tier football league, with both parties committing to a shared vision of elevating the standards of the game and improving the overall structure and competitiveness of the league.
In the coming months, SportPesa will unveil all the specific details in a special launch to be communicated.
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