FKF discloses BetKing contract details to Kenyan clubs

• Have the exclusive right to be referred to as the “FKF Premier League’s Title Sponsor”
• Have the exclusive right to be the sole sports betting and title sponsor.
• Ensure that all clubs participating in the BPL wear kits bearing BETKING’S logo on their shirts’ sleeves for both their authentic and replica jerseys.
• Have the right to erect eight pitchside banners in all BPL match venues at its own cost. (home match 8 pitch boards, Centre circle 2, 18 Line 2 & 2 behind each goal posts)
• Have the right to have display 50% BETKING advertisements and/or logo on every media backdrop
• Have the exclusive right to activate every BPL venue on each BPL match day.
• Have the right to use https://cdn.standardmedia.co.ke/images with no less than 3 players in the BPL clubs.
• Have the right to use clips and still photos, with no less than 3 players for content generation.
• May sponsor the player and coach of the month.
• Have naming rights & Bear the agreed costs of the BPL end of the season Gala Night and the BPL Annual Awards.

BETKING ALSO DIVISION ONE LEAGUE SPONSORS

On Monday, July 20, FKF also announced BetKing Kenya as the official Division One League title sponsors. The deal, which sees the renaming of the league to BetKing Division One League is worth Sh100 million for a period of five years. 

The 32 Division One clubs from Zone A and Zone B will be allocated at least a Sh500,000 annual grant from the Federation.

“This is the first time in the history of Kenyan football that the Division One league has attracted a sponsor and so we are happy to announce yet another milestone as we endeavor to raise Kenyan football’s commercial value,” said FKF President Nick Mwendwa.

“We believe this deal, which further underpins BetKing’s commercial developmental role in football, both at the national and grassroot level will not only help ease our clubs’ financial obligations but also play a pivotal role in raising the level of competition in the league,” added the FKF president.

SPORTPESA CEO RONALD KARAURI EXCHANGE ON SOCIAL MEDIA WITH NICK MWENDWA

On Sunday, July 19, SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri blasted FKF for entering into an agreement with Nigerian betting firm BetKing instead of a Kenyan firm.

“FKF even if it’s looking for votes, shouldn’t you have considered Betika or Odibets or any of the other 100 licensed Kenyan companies?” asked Karauri on Twitter.

In response, the FKF boss dismissed Karauri’s comment, saying Kenyan football supported Sportpesa even when they went to sponsor other teams abroad.

“Not a fair comment Captain! Coming from you and knowing that Football supported you even when you went outside and sponsored others for more than Kenya,” said Mwendwa.

Kenyans, more so betting enthusiasts, you could say were left clutching at straws following the wave of closure of betting sites that failed to comply with taxation and licensing rules.

SportPesa, having been the biggest betting firm in terms of popularity, shut down all its operations in the county in September last year, citing ‘hostile regulations’.

"Sportpesa is disappointed with the decision by the Kenyan legislature to impose a 20% excise tax on all betting stakes. The tax is based on a fundamental misunderstanding by the Rotich led treasury of how revenue generation works in the bookmaker industry. "Until such time that adequate taxation and non-hostile regulatory environment is returned, the SportPesa brand will halt operations in Kenya," said the firm in a statement.

The firm was optimistic of resuming operations when once the country put in place "adequate taxation and non-hostile regulatory environment."

However, this never happened.