Spotika bet on AFC Leopards in Sh60m shirt deal
Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa (centre) AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda during the unveiling of the club's new sponsorship deal with Spotika on June 23, 2022 in Nairobi.
What you need to know:
- Leopards has been going through financial difficulties after their immediate sponsors Betsafe withdrew their Sh20m-a-season deal.
- Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, Director of Immigration Alex Muteshi, former club vice-chairman Vincent Shimoli and club chairman Dan Shikanda were present during the launch at a Nairobi hotel.
A gaming firm, Spotika, has signed a precontract to sponsor AFC Leopards next season.
It is understood that little known Spotika, will enter a deal worth Sh60 per season with the former Kenyan Premier League giants.
During the official unveiling of the partnership in Nairobi on Thursday, Spotika Marketing Manager Alfred Otieno, said details of the sponsorship were being worked out by both parties.
He said Spotika was delighted and grateful to associate with a club with such a rich history like AFC Leopards.
Nation Sport understands that the partnership deal will come into effect when the 2022/23 Football Kenya Federation Premier League season kicks off.
Otieno said Spotika aims to help Leopards stabilise financially and assist developing talent from the grassroots.
“The success of Spotika and Ingwe starts today,” said Otieno, who is also a data analyst and researcher.
Leopards has been facing financial hardship after Betsafe withdrew their Sh25m-a season sponsorship.
A delighted AFC Leopards chairman, Dan Shikanda, who is seeking to be re-elected on Sunday for a second term, said struggling to pay players salaries would be a thing of the past.
“The dream of AFC Leopards reviving their lost glory has just began. For AFC, the future is bright. To the Ingwe fraternity, let’s join hands to reach the limit,” added Shikanda.
He praised the Director General of Immigration, Alex Muteshi, for his immense support when he was almost leaving the club.
“Muteshi has been very supportive. I went to him when we urgently needed Sh6m to pay our former players and coaches avoid Fifa sanctions, but we ended up collecting Sh8m."
“I also want to thank President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa for their continual support, including the new bus Wamalwa brought as when our old bus broke down.”
Muteshi and Wamalwa were at the function.
While praising Spotika, Wamalwa reminded AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia management to each collect the pledge of Sh10m from the government in two weeks’ time.
“I will personally follow-up the club land in Kasarani and help Ingwe own a home soon. We will continue working together to make sure our club has a permanent home. We shall engage the corporate world to enable Leopards to own a modern stadium,” said Wamalwa.
