AFC Leopards seek solid financial base
What you need to know:
- Lusaka made a personal contribution of Sh750,000 to the team to top up on the Sh200,000 he'd given last week.
- Of this amount, Sh500,000 will facilitate the team's camp in Western Kenya this week ahead of league matches against Nzoia Sugar and Mathare United at the Bukhungu stadium on Wednesday and Sunday.
Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka has teamed up with like-minded individuals to ensure financial challenges that have dogged 13-time Kenyan Premier League champions AFC Leopards are a thing of the past.
Lusaka has pledged to help AFC Leopards secure a second sponsorship to ensure the playing unit is well taken care of. Lusaka joins other leaders who have promised to link the club with sponsors, among them Musalia Mudavadi and Johnson Sakaja.
Speaking on Monday, the former Bungoma governor also called upon those seeking elective positions during the club's forthcoming elections on June 23 to come up with means of supporting the team towards reclaiming the lost glory.
He spoke during a meeting with players, technical bench, Ingwe legends and management of the SportPesa Premier League club at his Karen residence.
Leopards are currently bankrolled by gaming firm SportPesa to a tune of Sh55 million each year, but this money only helps in paying salaries.
But these funds are seemingly nowhere near enough, with the club struggling to meet costs of hosting the team, signing quality players and paying match winning bonuses.
"I will use my network to ensure the clubs gets another sponsor because it seems your financial position is not that good," said the prominent politician who was flanked by Luhya elder, Vincent Shimoli.
"I will also mobilise other leaders from Western Kenya to support you. In return, you have to promise me you are going to finish in a respective position this year and win the league next season,”
Lusaka made a personal contribution of Sh750,000 to the team to top up on the Sh200,000 he'd given last week.
Of this amount, Sh500,000 will facilitate the team's camp in Western Kenya this week ahead of league matches against Nzoia Sugar and Mathare United at the Bukhungu stadium on Wednesday and Sunday.
A further Sh150,000 will be shared between the players and technical bench, while Sh100,000 was given to the 15 legends who attended the function.
"Getting us a sponsor will be the best gift to the Leopards family and we thank you for that. We have struggled financially and especially this season when we had to bring in six players in March, further raising the wage bill," Leopards Secretary General Oscar Igaida explained.
Currently, under the tutelage of Rwandan coach Casa Mbungo, Leopards are ranked 10 with nine matches remaining in the 2018/2019 league season.
