Sports Disputes Tribunal to make ruling on AFC sponsorship on Wednesday

AFC Leopards chairman Mathews Opwora (left) displays the club's banner with betway Head of Business Development, Africa Anthony Prissman after betway was unveiled as the club's sponsors on February 2, 2016 at Nyayo Stadium. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Last week, two factions within AFC Leopards signed parallel sponsorship deals with sports betting firms Betway and SportPesa.
  • The faction led by club chairman Mathew Opwora led wing signed a Sh90 million three-year sponsorship deal with Betway, while another faction led by co-chairman Dan Mule entered into another contract with SportPesa.
  • Betway officials appeared before Sports Disputes Tribunal last week, while SportPesa were expected to state their case on Monday afternoon.

The Sports Disputes Tribunal will on Wednesday make a ruling on controversial sponsorship deals involving Kenyan Premier League giants AFC Leopards and two betting firms.

Last week, two factions within AFC Leopards signed parallel sponsorship deals with sports betting firms Betway and SportPesa.

The faction led by club chairman Mathew Opwora led wing signed a Sh90 million three-year sponsorship deal with Betway, while another faction led by co-chairman Dan Mule entered into another contract with SportPesa.

This has caused friction within the club, prompting chairman of the Sports Disputes Tribunal John Ohaga to declare both deals null and void. Ohaga is also the chief mediator at the club.

GIVE CLEAR DIRECTION

Betway officials appeared before the tribunal last week, while SportPesa were expected to state their case on Monday afternoon.

Ohaga on Monday said: “We want to deal with the matter by Wednesday because the league is about to start and it is important that we give clear directions.”

SportPesa and Betway are also understood to have signed separate sponsorship deals with 15-time Kenyan champions Gor Mahia but Ohaga said the matter has not been formally taken before the tribunal.

Last week, Gor announced that they had entered into a multi-million, five year sponsorship deal with SportPesa, though, Betway also claimed to have signed a separate deal with them.