This archive report was first published on 20 July 2020.
FKF Boss Nick Mwendwa Criticized for BetKing Deal ¶
FKF boss Nick Mwendwa has been criticized by SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri for entering into a deal with BetKing, a Nigerian sports betting company, to sponsor the Kenyan Premier League.
According to reports, the deal will see BetKing sponsor the league for five years, with the company set to pay KSh1.2 billion to FKF. In addition, each of the 15 teams in the league will receive KSh8 million per season.
However, Karauri has expressed his disappointment with Mwendwa's decision, stating that BetKing's decision to leave the Nigerian Premier League and sponsor the Kenyan league is a sign of the company's lack of commitment to the sport.
"BetKing left the Nigerian Premier League and came to sponsor KPL, which is not a good sign," Karauri tweeted.
Mwendwa has defended his decision, stating that FKF had to make a choice between SportPesa and BetKing, and that the latter offered a better deal.
"We had to make a choice between SportPesa and BetKing, and we chose the latter because it offered a better deal," Mwendwa said.
The controversy has sparked a heated debate on social media, with many Kenyans expressing their disappointment with Mwendwa's decision.
"This is a bad decision by FKF, and it will have negative consequences for the sport in Kenya," one Twitter user said.
Another user said, "I don't understand why FKF would choose to partner with a company that has a history of leaving leagues in other countries."
FKF has been under pressure to find a new sponsor for the league after SportPesa's contract expired last year. The league has been without a sponsor since then, and the deal with BetKing is seen as a major boost for the sport in Kenya.
However, the deal has also raised concerns about the impact it will have on the sport in Kenya. Some have expressed fears that the deal will lead to a decline in the quality of the league, as teams may prioritize winning the league over developing young players.
Others have expressed concerns about the potential for corruption and match-fixing, given BetKing's history of sponsoring leagues in other countries.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the future of the Kenyan Premier League is uncertain, and only time will tell if the deal with BetKing will be a success or a failure.
