This archive report was first published on 5 December 2019.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has made history by partnering with OdiBets to sponsor grassroots football in Kenya, marking a significant milestone in the country's football development.
Unveiled on Thursday, the Sh127 million deal will benefit approximately 3,000 football clubs at the grassroots level over the next three years.
As part of the agreement, all 48 County leagues will be renamed Odibets County leagues, and each team competing in these leagues will receive two pairs of fully branded uniforms and six balls.
According to OdiBets General Manager Dedan Mungai, the partnership is a result of the company's passion for grassroots football, which they believe is where the talent lies.
'We are going all out to give them an opportunity to play football and move up the ladder to the top-flight and even national teams just like Michael Olunga and Eric 'Marcelo' Ouma did,' Mungai explained.
FKF president Nick Mwendwa described the partnership as 'historic,' stating that it will ensure young boys and girls play football consistently without hitches, which is crucial for football development.
This deal comes on the heels of a separate Sh90 million deal between FKF and a betting firm to sponsor the second-tier National Super League, barely a month ago.
The partnership highlights a trend where corporates in Kenya are keen to work with young and upcoming players rather than top-flight clubs and national teams.
