More trouble for FKF as BetKing terminates sponsorship deal

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The federation will now have to get a new partner after the Nigerian-based betting firm ended their financial support. Betting firm BetKing have officially terminated their contract with the Football Kenya Federation with immediate effect.

In a joint statement signed by both BetKing Country Director Ivana Ristic and FKF president Nick Mwendwa and obtained by Goal, the two parties have agreed to go different ways after only one year of their partnership.

What did the joint statement say?

“FKF and BetKing Kenya jointly announces we have reached a mutual agreement to terminate our existing sponsorship contracts for the BetKing Premier League and BetKing Division One League,” – read part of the statement. BetKing will explore other ways in which we can collaborate in the future. Unreservedly, FKF confirms that the support received from BetKing has played a crucial part in fostering the growth of the local football game.”

These resources have had a tremendous impact on each of the 18 FKFPL and 32 Division One clubs from Zone A and Zone B which received partial support for their budgets through this sponsorship.

FKF confirms the support of BetKing Kenya has been immense and has helped sustain FKF’s football development programmers by a considerable measure. Despite the mutual agreement to now terminate this partnership, FKF appreciates BetKing’s support and partnership over the past season.

“BetKing Kenya equally appreciates the opportunity to sponsor the leagues in line with BetKing’s brand mission. BetKing remains committed to participating in the growth of Kenya’s sporting talents particularly at the grassroots levels through solid and long-term partnerships.”

The Nigerian-based company were unveiled to take over Kenyan football following the exit of SportPesa on July 16, 2020, and the deal had a starting payment of KSh220 million in year one and then increase by five per cent in the second year and 10 per cent in the subsequent years.

The arrival of the betting firm marked the biggest sponsorship deal ever inked by the FKF in its history and the 2020-21 season marked the first time the FKF was managing the top-flight after an era of more than a decade when the league was under the KPL.

Source: goal.com