SportPesa-Osaga bouts on
Osaga Promotions chief executive officer Caleb Kuya speaks at a press conference at Laico Regency Hotel, Nairobi on November 24, 2015. With him is SportPesa trade developer Beatrice Kamau. They announced sponsorship of six professional fights on Jamhuri Day. PHOTO | CHRI OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- Betting company gambles with Sh300,000 sponsorship
- The six-round welterweight bout between Bena Kaloki and a yet-to-be-identified boxer from Uganda was to be confirmed later.
A sports betting company and a boxing promotion firm have joined hands to promote professional boxing bouts in the country.
The partnership between SportPesa and Osago Promotions, both local companies, will start with a low-budget Jamhuri Day extravaganza where six pro bouts will be on the card at Nyayo National Stadium from 3pm.
SportPesa trade developer Beatrice Kamau called for more sponsors to come on board and promote professional boxing as Osaga Promotions CEO Caleb Kuya said he had lined up more than six fights next year.
“We are currently sponsoring the Kenyan Premier League but we are glad to venture into professional boxing,” Kamau said. “This is part of our responsibility to nurture and refine sporting talent in the country.”
Kamau, who presented a Sh300,000 cheque for the Jamhuri Day fights, said his company will come in in a big way in subsequent fights.
“Boxing has much talent and we want boxers to earn good money from the sport,” said Kamau. “I urge more corporate organisations to come in and assist.”
Unlike the previous Mashujaa Day promotion that was postponed for a week, Kuya assured the boxing fraternity that everything was in place for the upcoming bouts.
Kenya’s female boxer Rukia Nasirite, who has five wins, eight losses and four draws (5-8-4), will slug it out with Hawa Daku (5-7-0) of Uganda in a 10-round bout for the East and Central Africa featherweight title.
Former women’s International Boxing Federation world bantamweight and super bantamweight champion Fatuma Zarika (24-12-2), also from Kenya, will face Malawi’s Enneresi Nkwati in six-round non-title featherweight contest.
Yet another Kenyan, Everline “Lioness” Odero (6-8 -2), will take on Uganda’s Carol Nalunga in an eight-round light welterweight fight.
Kenya’s Nick Otieno will face Geoffrey Silver (Tanzania) in an eight-round bantamweight bout while George Owano has been matched with fellow Kenyan Michael Odhiambo in a six-round light welterweight contest.
The six-round welterweight bout between Bena Kaloki and a yet-to-be-identified boxer from Uganda was to be confirmed later.
