This archive report was first published on 1 November 2019.
SportPesa CEO Faults Government Over Selective Support of Struggling Kenya Premier League Teams ¶
On November 1, 2019, SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri expressed his disappointment with the government's decision to provide financial support to struggling Kenya Premier League teams, specifically Gor Mahia.
According to Karauri, the government's decision to provide support to one team while the entire sports sector in the country is struggling is a waste of taxpayers' money.
He argued that if the government had the country's best interest at heart, it would provide conducive environments for corporates to support sports from the grassroots level.
Karauri also pointed out that governments do not typically offer financial support to private sports entities, citing examples of Arsenal and Barcelona.
He emphasized that the government should focus on providing support to national teams and sports infrastructure, rather than individual clubs.
His comments come as sport bodies in the country have made pleas with the government to provide funding in the wake of alleged financial woes.
The Football Kenya Federation recently attempted to freeze the Harambee Starlets camp due to financial constraints, while the Rugby Union offices were subjected to an embarrassing raid by auctioneers over unpaid debt.
