LG-SJAK partner to boost monthly award

SportPesa Chief Marketer Kester Muhanji (left) presents Gor Mahia defender Karim Nizigiyimana with the SJAK-Sportpesa Player of the Month trophy for June at Nyayo Stadium on July 16, 2015. PHOTO | COURTESY |

What you need to know:

  • The deal signed on Tuesday will run from January 2016-Dec 2017, and will see winners of the monthly award pocket Sh100,000, up from last season’s Sh50,000.
  • The cash token will also come with a 42-inch LG television set and a trophy.
  • SJAK president Chris Mbaisi who lauded the partnership.
  • The 2016 KPL season kicks off on February 13.

The Sports Journalists Association of Kenya/SportPesa Player of the Month award got a timely boost on Tuesday after electronics manufacturer LG injected Sh5 million in a two-year sponsorship deal.

The deal signed on Tuesday will run from January 2016-Dec 2017, and will see winners of the monthly award pocket Sh100,000, up from last season’s Sh50,000.

The cash token will also come with a 42-inch LG television set and a trophy.

As part of the deal, LG will provide 26 television sets over the two years; 13 this season and a similar number next term to be awarded every month to the winners.

The annual Footballer of the Year Awards (Foya) have also been factored in with winners in all categories set to receive a television set. In this regard, LG has allocated 20 television sets of which ten will be given out to respective Foya winners and the additional ten for next year.

The annual off-season tournament, Koth Biro, will also benefit from the venture with the tournament’s Most Valuable Player being awarded with a TV set.

The MVP must however be a player not plying his trade in the top tier league or the second division - the FKF Premier League.

Speaking at the event shortly after the unveiling of the deal, LG Marketing Manager Moses Maraji said: “We are extremely elated to partner with SJAK to reward the best performing players in the SportPesa Premier League."

"This joint action will boost the players’ morale as well as enhance the interest in the sport across the country.”

SJAK president Chris Mbaisi who lauded the partnership.

Gor Mahia’s attacking midfielder Ali Abondo was the pioneer winner of the award when he scooped the individual accolade in March last year.

The 2016 KPL season kicks off on February 13.

Last year, eight premier league players won the individual monthly accolade. They include John Mark Makwatta (Ulinzi Stars, April), Gabriel Andika (Western Stima, May), Karim Nizigiyimana (Gor Mahia, June), Jesse Were (Tusker FC, July), George Mandela (Muhoroni Youth, August), Meddie Kagere (Gor Mahia, September) and Jimmy Bageya (Nairobi City Stars, October).