The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has announced BetKing as its first official title sponsor since SportPesa withdrew from the market last year in a five-year deal worth KES1.2bn (\u00a38.7m\/\u20ac9.6m\/$11.1m).<\/p>\n
Under the deal with the Nigeria-based operator\u2019s Kenyan subsidiary, the league will be referred to as the BetKing Premier League and each club will receive KES8m per year.<\/p>\n
The league had been without an official sponsor since Kenya\u2019s largest betting operator, Sportpesa,\u00a0ceased all sponsorships\u00a0in its home country in August 2019 after a dispute with authorities over taxes. This left several clubs in the country requesting donations from fans in order to continue paying players.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur players and club officials have had it rough over the past few years because of an underfunded league,\u201d FKF President Nick Mwendwa said. \u201cI am happy today to announce BetKing Kenya as our title sponsor in the biggest deal in our history.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sportpesa, as well as Kenya\u2019s second-largest betting operator Betin, later\u00a0withdrew from the Kenyan betting market entirely\u00a0when another new betting tax was added and have not yet returned.<\/p>\n
The operator also sponsored two of the country\u2019s most successful clubs: AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia. Last month, Betsson-owned operator Betsafe agreed\u00a0sponsorship deals\u00a0with both clubs.<\/p>\n
BetKing will pay $120,000 within the first seven days of signing the deal, followed by three installments of $693,334 paid before the season kicks off, within the first three months of the season and within the first six months of the season.<\/p>\n
As part of the deal, KES10m will go towards the Kenya Women Premier League, while BetKing will also sponsor second-flight league Division One. Each Division One club will receive KES100,000 annually as part of a KES100m deal.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has always been a challenge playing away matches. This deal will go a long way in easing our transport and accommodation costs,\u201d Patrick Orwako, chairman of Division One club Buruburu Sports FC, said.<\/p>\n
Last month, Kenya\u2019s parliament passed a bill\u00a0repealing\u00a0the tax that caused SportPesa to leave the Kenyan market. However, the country\u2019s Treasury Secretary soon announced that the government will look to\u00a0reintroduce\u00a0the controversial tax within six months.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n