This archive report was first published on 17 October 2019.
The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) will proceed as scheduled, despite the withdrawal of its main sponsor, SportPesa, and the resulting financial crisis. The decision was made by the KPL Governing Council on Wednesday, October 16, 2019.
According to the KPL, the league will continue to engage potential sponsors and partners to address the financial challenges facing the league and its clubs. The teams will also be responsible for covering the costs of match officials, which will be reimbursed as soon as a new sponsor is secured.
Each game requires four referees and a match commissioner, with a minimum cost of Sh30,000 and a maximum cost of Sh60,000. The teams will have to share the costs of the match officials, which will be reimbursed once a new sponsor is found.
"When club licensing was introduced back in 2016, the league was somewhat stable since the clubs received grants and it was easy for them to go through the procedure but as it is currently, they have to roll their sleeves and seek partnerships and sponsorships that will make them self-reliant," said KPL CEO Jack Oguda.
Meanwhile, nine matches have been scheduled for this weekend, including Tusker vs Sony Sugar, Wazito vs Kakamega Homeboys, and AFC Leopards vs Western Stima.
