Safaricom renews funding for KRU with Sh40m deal

Mwamba’s Dan Sikuta during their clash with Strathmore University during the Kabeberi Sevens at Nairobi Railways Club. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION

What you need to know:

  • Sponsorship to benefit National Sevens Series, Safari 7s and 15s teams
  • Mobile service provider will be the federation’s communication partner in tournaments for a year

Telecommunications giant Safaricom on Wednesday renewed its sponsorship for the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) to the tune of over Sh40 million for the next one year.

According to Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore, the new deal will see the telecommunications giant return to rugby as KRU’s official communications partner for all the federation’s tournaments.

Safaricom will also give cash to help the union host rugby events in various counties throughout the year. Collymore said Safaricom will cater for telecommunications costs by providing free Wi-Fi connectivity, a fully kitted media centre and airtime to teams during tournaments. He said their sponsorship will be more in kind rather than cash.

The events falling under this sponsorship deal include the National Sevens Series that has six legs and which begins in August, Safari Sevens scheduled for September, and the 15s tournaments for both men and women.

Safaricom has in the last six years invested over Sh700 million in rugby for the organisation of tournaments, the development of the game and improvement of facilities at the Rugby Football Union of East Africa grounds and Safaricom Stadium Kasarani.

Last year, the firm ceased their sponsorship of rugby owing to corruption in the union. Safaricom, however, supported Safari Sevens, but not as the title sponsor.

The deal comes days after betting firm SportPesa and the union signed a Sh 600m and Tatu City, an urban development company, is sponsoring Kenya 15s Test match against Hong Kong in August to the tune of Sh5 million.

“We appreciate the role the union is playing in developing rugby, giving young men and women an opportunity to change their lives through sport,” said Collymore. “We see great value in supporting the identification and nurturing of new talent by working with the rugby union,” he added.

The Safaricom boss lauded the union’s efforts following the qualification of the national men’s and women’s 7s teams qualification for the Rio Olympic Games.

KRU chairman Richard Omwela said their renewed partnership with Safaricom and other corporate firms was a clear indication that rugby was back on track.

Omwela explained that their deal with Safaricom will no doubt improve our ability to deliver on the expectations of both the players and fans as they expect to capture and document the continued growth and development of the sport in the country.

“The signing of this partnership reinforces our commitment to collaborating with organisations that believe in the sport as much as we do, and in building these partnerships so that together, we can continue to grow Kenyan rugby,” he added.