SportPesa have reinstated sponsorship to Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards.
The move comes a few weeks after the betting firm suspended sponsorship to the two giants over hooliganism. SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri confirmed on Tuesday that they had reinstated the same after both clubs committed to tame the vice.
Karauri said, “We have been holding consultation meetings with both clubs since we suspended the deals and I am impressed that they are committed to end hooliganism. We have agreed that mobile courts are introduced in the stadia to help tame the vice that is not good for Kenyan football.”
He added, “We also have commitment from the police, who have promised to provide tight security going forward. We will also have stewards from National Youth Service on behalf of SportPesa manning perimeter fence.”
Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier thanked SportPesa for the ‘second chance’ and promised to weed out hooliganism associated with the champions. “We are grateful to SportPesa and want to assure them that we will fight day and night to end this vice. I want to urge our fans to maintain peace during matches.”
AFC Leopards boss Daniel Mulee said, “We will continue to work closely with the police to end hooliganism. We are more than committed because already we have singled out and forwarded to police a number of fans, who must be arrested for causing chaos during our league match against Ulinzi Stars in Mumias.”