Former league champions Sofapaka get a better deal as they renew contract with jersey sponsors Betika
Kenyan Premier League (KPL) outfit Sofapaka has received a shot in the arm in form of renewed sponsorship from Betting company, Betika.
Batoto Ba Mungu can now rest easy in the 2019/2020 KPL season after Betika renewed goodwill towards the club to the tune of Sh 35 million for the next one year.
The package is up from the previous Sh 15 million Sofapaka got from Betika which has apparently upped their game in as far as corporate social responsibility towards sporting disciplines in the country is concerned.
Speaking during the cheque handover at a Nairobi Hotel yesterday, Betika’s Head of Commercial John Mbatiah said the company is duty bound to ensure that it gives a platform to Kenyan football clubs to develop in the sport through sponsorship.
“A large number of football teams in the country are going through a financial crisis following the sad epitaph in which most gaming companies which they relied on closed shop due to the high taxes imposed by the government. Betika is still vibrant and has a duty to bail out needy clubs,”said Mbatiah amidst a round of applause from Sofapaka players.
This is an improvement to the previous deal between the two parties which was Sh15million with Mbatiah saying it is in line with company’s deliberate policy to support Kenyan sports.
“We are a 100% Kenyan company and we feel obligated to support Kenyan sports and initiatives. Sofapaka have been very good partners and we are glad that they have replicated the support we give them with a sound performance. We are extending this sort of partnerships countrywide through the #BetikaNaCommunity programme,” said Mbatiah.
The Betika official also hinted that the programme is also geared at rehabilitating various stadia across the country and empowering Boba Boda riders trough issuance of reflector jackets ostensibly for road safety.
Sofapaka president Elly Kalekwa acknowledged the support, saying it will go a long way in instilling morale amongst the players in their quest to continue performing well.
“Since Betika came on board as our official sponsors, we have had a results oriented team and it can only get better. The partnership is the best thing that has ever happened to us and I must say we are overly appreciative,” said Kalekwa.
Betika have stood with us throughout the tough times when sponsors are exiting Kenyan football and we don’t take that for granted. We hope this partnership will continue to flourish and we can produce the next stars in international football from Sofapaka,” said Kalekwa.
