Gor unveil SportPesa as new sponsors in Sh240mn deal

• The two parties have signed an initial deal for a year worth Sh80mn
• Two years are renewable after the first
• The two had previously had a partnership

FKF Premier League side Gor Mahia has signed a sponsorship agreement with betting firm SportPesa worth Sh80mn a season. The two have signed an initial one-year agreement but with two other additional years renewable after the end of the first.

Gor has been facing tough financial times over the last few years since SportPesa pulled out before the COVID-19 pandemic. They had previously been sponsored by Betsafe before they also pulled out last year.

Last month, Gor announced a partnership with another betting firm, BetAfriq, but they ended relations even before the ink could dry on the contract.

“We are glad to have Sportpesa back sponsoring Gor Mahia and this is a huge thing for us. We have suffered over the last few years because of tough financial times but now, we have a good partner on board,” said Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier.

Not been easy to get sponsors

Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier with SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri

“It has not been easy to get sponsors in because of the way things have been set up after the COVID-19 pandemic, but this is a breathe of fresh air for us,” he added.

SportPesa pulled out of all sports sponsorships after the government moved to enforce hefty tax regime on betting firms and they said they could not sustain the business as well as their partnerships.

This ended in many entities losing sponsorships, including Gor Mahia.

“You are one of the teams which created our passion with football. When we partnered first, the ranking for Gor Mahia had really gone up. Football has really changed now but I want to believe that today is the beginning of bringing back football to the standards it should be at,” said Ronald Karauri, the SportPesa CEO and also the new Kasarani Member of Parliament.

Improve Kenyan football

SportPesa unveil their partnership with Gor Mahia

He added; “Not just for Gor Mahia but football in Kenya as a whole. I agree with Premier League clubs. We need to get back to FIFA. We need to play a league recognized. I will do everything in my power, not just for Gor Mahia but for football in Kenya.”

The new sponsorship will be a welcome relief for Gor, whose players have been in and out of go slows throughout the pre-season, demanding unpaid dues.

And now, the club will be stable for once and head coach Jonathan McKinstry is optimistic it will offer them an opportunity to battle for the Premier League title again.

“Honestly it has been very difficult but having SportPesa back is huge for the club. The club’s recent success over the last decade has been when SportPesa is there and now I am confident that this partnership will lead the team back on top,” said the Irish coach.

While with SportPesa, Gor Mahia enjoyed success on the pitch and among their greatest achievements included playing against English Premier League side Everton twice, in Dar es Salaam and in Liverpool, as well as facing Hull City in Nairobi.