Brazilian EA Expo - Samba comes to town...

In March 2011, the Brazilian EA Expo comes to Nairobi with a flurry of activities mainly on the sports arena. The finals of the Kenya Youth Football League which started in January 2011 comes to an end ; there shall be coaching clinics held by 4-6 Brazilian tacticians ; a Brazilian football club shall play a Kenyan counter-part with a Samba troupe expected to grace either or two of these occasions.

Brazilian Samba Dancers - image courtesy of www.flirkr.com 

Along with this, there shall be a Brazilian art display at the KICC. This shall take place from the 26th of March 2011. Organisers of this event include BrazGroup (which has an interesting name featured, one Maina Kariuki - wonder whether it's the former KFF Chair?), Sadili Oval - a local youth talent development centre; along with EA Brazil Limited ; the Brazilian Embassy in Kenya and Carlson Wagonlit Travel. For more details, you can check the details here.

‘Richest’ Football Clubs in Kenya's Premier League

KPL 2010-11 season has started and came in fast. For some of the clubs, it is a great start and others have been laying the necessary groundwork for their season onslaught. Besides recruiting and changing their technical management, some clubs have also sought to boost their financials in a bid to attract the best of talent. We take a look at some of the clubs that maybe regarded as ‘rich’ – and we use this term in loosely since their financials are shrouded in secrecy, and most have not accounted for their match-day revenues and ticketing revenues. Others are also not clear on their sponsorship packages. Here are the estimates;

Mathare United FC – having started out as an outreach programme for youth in the Nairobi slum of Mathare, they have become a regular feature in the Kenya Premier League since moving up 6 years ago. They have also produced some of the best Kenyan footballing talent represented by their best example so far, Dennis Oliech. Under the leadership of Mr. Bob Munro (one among the brains behind the Kenya Premier League and heavily influences football agenda in the country), the club has managed to lure corporate sponsorship to the tune of US$ 437,500 (approx. KShs. 30 million) in the last 2 years. Their other sources of merchandising and ticketing are not clearly outlined but this wouldn’t be more than 10 % of total revenues. Add in the KPL/SuperSport TV airing bonuses and yearly grant of about US$7,000.

(Estimated Total Revenue: US$ 478,500; for 2010-11)

AFC Leopards FC – this is strictly by the sponsorship figure of approx US$187,500 announced early February 2011 from Mumias Sugar. They also got sponsorship from health service provider Africa Air Rescue (AAR) to the tune of US$ 18750. Last season, the club had secured under controversial circumstances some US$ 3750 (about KShs.300,000). The club also has a fairly tidy following but has not been able to translate this to good performances on the pitch much to the chagrin of their faithful. If they do find their winning ways, they are bound to reap big on the ticketing and merchandising. They may also need to resolve their management issues which might affect revenue inflows.

(Estimated Total Revenue: US$ 233,875; for 2010-11)

Thika United – the most popular side from Central Kenya has the support of one of Kenya’s food processing firm’s -  Brookside Limited’s funds to back its operations. Though not fully confirmed, the amount for the past season was approx. US$ 187,500 (and US$ 37,500 had been promised for top 3 finish which never happened). The club had also signed a kit sponsorship with Umbro between 2003-6 but no details of financials passing hands. The club has some followership in the town of origin and records good crowds both at home and away.

(Estimated Total Revenue: US$ 206,250; for 2010-11)

Sofapaka FC – this club made history in the 2008-9, coming through from the lower rung of the Nationwide League and winning the KPL title only its debut season. It has been able to become a feature in the last 2 seasons, thanks in part to their eccentric Elly Kalekwa – who’s also Chair of the KPL. They secured 3-year sponsorship from EA Portland Cement worth approx. US$ 150,000. They won the 2009 title securing US $ 19,000 in the process. They also won the SuperSport/DSTV Super Cup –the season’s curtain-raiser earning US$ 9375. Add another measly US$ 1250 for winning the Kenya Cup (Kenya’s equivalent of the FA Cup) and TV rights and merchandising as well as matchday revenues.

(Estimated Total Rev: US$ 197,587.50; for 2010-11) 

Ulinzi Stars – the army outfit is mainly made up of servicemen serving in the Kenyan Army. They have a disciplined side which surprised everyone last season to take top honours. Enjoying financial support mainly from the Kenya Army (in extension through the Defense Ministry – Govt of Kenya), the club winnings make up most of their revenues. Their loss to Zamalek means their earning power at continental championships is all but over. For winning the title, they got US$ 19,000 (KShs. 1.5 million), along with US$ 7000 (approx. KShs.0.6mill) as KPL mandatory pay-out for TV and media rights. They have not attracted any corporate sponsor though.

(Estimated Total Rev: US$ 52,000; for 2010-11)

Other Notable Mentions;

Gor Mahia FC – this is the club with the largest and most passionate (and also once in awhile unruly) fan base. Though unsubstantiated, 'Sirikal' as they often refer themselves as are said to have earned US$ 13,482.5(about KShs. 1.0786 million) from merchandising alone last season. They have not managed to secure a corporate sponsor even with an able management team, but there are reports that this may soon change. They also attract good match-day collections across the spectrum for home and away games. {Add another US$ 19,200 or KShs. 1,536,000 for the sale of George ' Blackberry' Odhiambo to Danish side Rangers FC}

Tusker FC – the club has enjoyed a sweet-sour relationship with the brand it represents Tusker. The mother company of Tusker EABL has been cutting down on sports sponsorship and the club was among those affected. The support though is still there but no figures have been declared. The team has managed respectable positions and last year finished 3^rd from the top.

KCB FC – this is another corporate club which has the support of Kenya Commercial Bank through its KCB Sports Sponsorship – the wing which supports sports sponsorship for the firm. It is also not confirmed how much they secure annually though KCB Sports reports over US$ 250,000 ( KShs. 20 million) for the different sports disciplines – basketball, rallying, rugby and volleyball.

Karuturi Sports – the club was previously known as Sher Agencies and is among those that graduated from the Nationwide League in 2002-03. The club is fully owned by Karuturi flowers which is 100% owned by the Indian Karuturi company. No figures are available for scrutiny.

Nairobi City Stars – the club has its base in the outskirts of the city, in another slum Kawangare (which also gives it its previous names, Kawangare Stars and World Hope FC). It has some connection with former Kenyan football hero Musa Otieno, through Musa Otieno Foundation. Last year it had been rumoured to secure corporate sponsorship from Orange Telkom but the deal seems to have fallen off the rails. 

From the figures, there is great potential for clubs which have been performing consistently. If a club such as Gor Mahia can achieve a tidy figure from merchandising, the clubs can exploit this with the right focus and business acumen. It is also to be seen how the TV rights can be enhanced though still tightly controlled by SuperSport/DSTv. The clubs also need to raise their performances at the local, regional and continental level. This will guarantee greater followers from the local and maybe across the borders. Why can't we have our own SA's Orlando Pirates, Ghana's Hearts of Oaks, or DRC's TP Mazembe? 

KPL 2010-11 season has started and came in fast. For some of the clubs, it is a great start and others have been laying the necessary groundwork for their season onslaught. Besides recruiting and changing their technical management, some clubs have also sought to boost their financials in a bid to attract the best of talent. We take a look at some of the clubs that maybe regarded as ‘rich’ – and we use this term in loosely since their financials are shrouded in secrecy, and most have not accounted for their match-day revenues and ticketing revenues. Others are also not clear on their sponsorship packages. Here are the estimates;

Mathare United FC – having started out as an outreach programme for youth in the Nairobi slum of Mathare, they have become a regular feature in the Kenya Premier League since moving up 6 years ago. They have also produced some of the best Kenyan footballing talent represented by their best example so far, Dennis Oliech. Under the leadership of Mr. Bob Munro (one among the brains behind the Kenya Premier League and heavily influences football agenda in the country), the club has managed to lure corporate sponsorship to the tune of US$ 437,500 (approx. KShs. 30 million) in the last 2 years. Their other sources of merchandising and ticketing are not clearly outlined but this wouldn’t be more than 10 % of total revenues. Add in the KPL/SuperSport TV airing bonuses and yearly grant of about US$7,000.

(Estimated Total Revenue: US$ 478,500; for 2010-11)

AFC Leopards FC – this is strictly by the sponsorship figure of approx US$187,500 announced early February 2011 from Mumias Sugar. They also got sponsorship from health service provider Africa Air Rescue (AAR) to the tune of US$ 18750. Last season, the club had secured under controversial circumstances some US$ 3750 (about KShs.300,000). The club also has a fairly tidy following but has not been able to translate this to good performances on the pitch much to the chagrin of their faithful. If they do find their winning ways, they are bound to reap big on the ticketing and merchandising. They may also need to resolve their management issues which might affect revenue inflows.

(Estimated Total Revenue: US$ 233,875; for 2010-11)

Thika United – the most popular side from Central Kenya has the support of one of Kenya’s food processing firm’s -  Brookside Limited’s funds to back its operations. Though not fully confirmed, the amount for the past season was approx. US$ 187,500 (and US$ 37,500 had been promised for top 3 finish which never happened). The club had also signed a kit sponsorship with Umbro between 2003-6 but no details of financials passing hands. The club has some followership in the town of origin and records good crowds both at home and away.

(Estimated Total Revenue: US$ 206,250; for 2010-11)

Sofapaka FC – this club made history in the 2008-9, coming through from the lower rung of the Nationwide League and winning the KPL title only its debut season. It has been able to become a feature in the last 2 seasons, thanks in part to their eccentric Elly Kalekwa – who’s also Chair of the KPL. They secured 3-year sponsorship from EA Portland Cement worth approx. US$ 150,000. They won the 2009 title securing US $ 19,000 in the process. They also won the SuperSport/DSTV Super Cup –the season’s curtain-raiser earning US$ 9375. Add another measly US$ 1250 for winning the Kenya Cup (Kenya’s equivalent of the FA Cup) and TV rights and merchandising as well as matchday revenues.

(Estimated Total Rev: US$ 197,587.50; for 2010-11) 

Ulinzi Stars – the army outfit is mainly made up of servicemen serving in the Kenyan Army. They have a disciplined side which surprised everyone last season to take top honours. Enjoying financial support mainly from the Kenya Army (in extension through the Defense Ministry – Govt of Kenya), the club winnings make up most of their revenues. Their loss to Zamalek means their earning power at continental championships is all but over. For winning the title, they got US$ 19,000 (KShs. 1.5 million), along with US$ 7000 (approx. KShs.0.6mill) as KPL mandatory pay-out for TV and media rights. They have not attracted any corporate sponsor though.

(Estimated Total Rev: US$ 52,000; for 2010-11)

Other Notable Mentions;

Gor Mahia FC – this is the club with the largest and most passionate (and also once in awhile unruly) fan base. Though unsubstantiated, 'Sirikal' as they often refer themselves as are said to have earned US$ 13,482.5(about KShs. 1.0786 million) from merchandising alone last season. They have not managed to secure a corporate sponsor even with an able management team, but there are reports that this may soon change. They also attract good match-day collections across the spectrum for home and away games.

Tusker FC – the club has enjoyed a sweet-sour relationship with the brand it represents Tusker. The mother company of Tusker EABL has been cutting down on sports sponsorship and the club was among those affected. The support though is still there but no figures have been declared. The team has managed respectable positions and last year finished 3^rd from the top.

KCB FC – this is another corporate club which has the support of Kenya Commercial Bank through its KCB Sports Sponsorship – the wing which supports sports sponsorship for the firm. It is also not confirmed how much they secure annually though KCB Sports reports over US$ 250,000 ( KShs. 20 million) for the different sports disciplines – basketball, rallying, rugby and volleyball.

Karuturi Sports – the club was previously known as Sher Agencies and is among those that graduated from the Nationwide League in 2002-03. The club is fully owned by Karuturi flowers which is 100% owned by the Indian Karuturi company. No figures are available for scrutiny.

Nairobi City Stars – the club has its base in the outskirts of the city, in another slum Kawangare (which also gives it its previous names, Kawangare Stars and World Hope FC). It has some connection with former Kenyan football hero Musa Otieno, through Musa Otieno Foundation. Last year it had been rumoured to secure corporate sponsorship from Orange Telkom but the deal seems to have fallen off the rails. 

From the figures, there is great potential for clubs which have been performing consistently. If a club such as Gor Mahia can achieve a tidy figure from merchandising, the clubs can exploit this with the right focus and business acumen. It is also to be seen how the TV rights can be enhanced though still tightly controlled by SuperSport/DSTv. The clubs also need to raise their performances at the local, regional and continental level. This will guarantee greater followers from the local and maybe across the borders. Why can't we have our own SA's Orlando Pirates, Ghana's Hearts of Oaks, or DRC's TP Mazembe? 

KPL & Gor Mahia fans: Take control before you lose football fans’ credibility

The weekend saw the start of the 2011-12 Kenya Premier League after a well-deserved break. A look at most the fixtures scheduled for the first 2 days looked more or less like foregone conclusions - except for the Mathare United v/s Sofapaka & AFC Leopards v/sTusker FC fixtures.

Our interest though is in a fixture that most pundits had given to favourite Gor Mahia – who enjoy fanatical following from their fans. It was against newly promoted but without corporate sponsor, (Posta) Rangers.

Come the start of the match and you would have been wrong to think the other way round. By the half-time break, Rangers were 2-0 up and deservedly so. Into the 82^nd minute, they crown an unassailable lead and the Gor Mahia fans who were all along taunting the female linesperson start throwing missiles into the pitch. Soon one of the barriers is down & they are running into the pitch.

For the safety of the players, the referee calls off the game and the police are called in and as usually happens when they come in throw tear-gas to disperse the rowdy fans.

Last year, the Gor Mahia fans were among the most flamboyant and loyal fans following their team towns such as Thika, Naivasha and Nakuru. They are among the loudest and most organized of fans for any football team playing in the KPL. But they can also lose their cool and control at the first signs of a loss. Last year they forced other clubs fans all sorts of taunts at times even snatching their tools of trade. During a late match-up between Gor and AFC Leopards, we all remember what happened though more blame would go the Sports Stadia Management Board, security and ticketing arrangements.

Hooligans (because at best that’s what we would describe the game), have been known to cost many leagues across the world their attraction. The English, Italian and Spanish have been some of the more prominent ones and have come up with stringent measures to ensure the rule of the game is observed on the pitch and off it.

Fans in this part of the world had deserted the stadiums but with last year’s lure they came back in small trickles before coming back in bigger droves towards the end of the League. Over the break many clubs have registered official fans clubs and you can find them in social media channels for your favourite club.

But they too must learn the rules of the game and unfortunately the very club(s) they support suffer first. Our suggestion once investigations are finalized( hope hastily), is first dock points (between 5-9) of course losing the game they disrupted, play 2-3 ‘home’ games without fans and also pay a cash penalty. This will ensure club officials are able to manage the fans, isolate and discipline the unruly ones.

KPL also needs to buttress the security arrangements available in the stadiums. From what happened on Saturday, the melee would have had severe casualties and the stadium would once again stare upon another ban from either CAF or FIFA.

Officiating also needs to be raised a notch higher. The charade of referees and linesmen giving contentious decisions will only incense fans who look for the slightest provocation. We have not had the best of officials coming from our country but this can be changed this season.

All in all, why should a whole League be held ransom by a group of fans from a single club?

Top Earning Sports Personalities in Kenya in 2010

Sport in Kenya has slowly become bread and butter for people fully engaged in it professionally. Fondly referred to by its peers as a ‘sporting nation’, the fact of the matter though is that much of the earnings are lop-sided with the one sport (athletics) accounting for almost 70% of total earnings.
The other sport, football also has two individuals sitting among the top earners but they ply their trade overseas with little or no earnings from the local scene. It is also worth noting that some sporting disciplines have been able to attract major sponsorships as a discipline but the trickle-down effect to the players has not been reflected. This is the case in golf and rugby which enjoyed in excess of KShs 1 billion and 0.5 billion respectively.
However going by the winnings, appearance fees and maybe some endorsement figures (throw ad revenues in there) and this is our list, in no particular order (most of these are estimates as actual figures are not easily availed here). We hope to inspire the budding talent waiting in the wings to take these individuals places;

Mariga - Image courtesy of www.inter.it

1. McDonald Mariga – having transferred to the Italian club Inter Milan from Parma mid-way last season, he was part of the 2010 UEFA Champions League, Italian League and Italian Cup title wins last year. Add with the heavily criticized ad and endorsement with UAP Insurance and Coca-Cola Kenya

{Estimates: $12,000,000 p.a., excl, bonuses and endorsements}

2. Samuel Wanjiru – winning the Chicago Marathon (prize money & time bonuses of US$ 115,000); as well as earning an appearance fee of an average of US$ 250,000. He also won the World Marathon Majors 2009-10 getting US$ 500,000. There is the sponsorship deal with Meiji Seika sponsorship deal ( makers of sports supplement Savas) worth US$ 3 million spread over 10 years signed in 2008

{Estimates:  US$ 500,000 for World Marathon title, US$ 115,000 prize money & bonus in Chicago, Appearance fees average of US$ 250,000 & US$ 300,000 per year for next 10 years from 2008-2018}

3. Dennis Oliech – he also plies his trade in Europe thus he has some sizeable income from the French League. He has not had much in endorsements both locally and abroad due to his initial big-headedness and national team mishaps. He has mellowed now and recently signed an extension contract with French club AJ Auxerre.

{Estimates:  between US$ 870,000 – 12,000,000 p.a.}

4. David Rudisha –the darling of the athletics world last year and Kenyans gave him a hell of a vote (online) and won the IAAF Male Sports Athlete of the Year; he also won a couple of races on the IAAF Diamond League of course attracting some bonuses as he broke the record twice in the space of one week

{Estimates: US$ 100,000 for World Athlete of the Year 2010, US$ 40,000 from IAAF Diamond League, undisclosed appearance and record breaking fees}

Nancy L- Gold medal 2010 CWG- New Delhi

5. Nancy Jebet Langat – she had a mixed year, being part of the winners of the inaugural IAAF Diamond League and also winning a Commonwealth gold ( some pickings from the government for winners can be added up); also won the Sports Personality of the Year Award-Kenya Female - 2010 edition 

{Estimates: US$ 40,000 IAAF Diamond League winnings, US$ 6,250 for 2010 SOYA Lady winner, Govt bonus from 2010 Commonwealth Gold medal}

5.    Other special mentions;

6. Mary Keitany – women half marathon specialists, won the World Half Marathon title in 2009, 2010 Abu Dhabi Half Marathon and Ras al Khaimah Half Marathon ( where she broke the world record this year)

{Estimates: US$ 357,740 in prize money, appearance fees and record-breaking bonuses

7. Edna Kiplagat – winner of 2010 Los Angeles Marathon and New York Marathon

{Estimates: US$ 303,000}

8. Wilson K. Kiprotich – marathoner

{Estimates: US$ 197,010}

Robert K. Cheruiyot - 2010 Boston Marathon Winner

9. Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot – winner of 2010 Boston Marathon, quoted saying he would buy 50 more cows from his prize money of US$ 175,000

{Estimates: US$ 175, 545}

Rugby: Kenya Cup - Gulf between clubs, food for thought KRU....

Rugby has easily become a favourite sport for most Kenyans thanks to the exploits of the national 7s team. For the more ardent fan though there is the 15-a-side clubs circuit in the name of Kenya Cup. We also have the Super Series which has 5 ( or 8 franchises depending on whether the 2 from Uganda; 1 from Tanzania do participate) - in fact this year's Series comes in the next 2 months as the rugby calendar changes to accomodate the Safari Sevens which shall be played in November ( hoping to attract top seeds from the IRB circuit).

Kenya Harlequins 2011 Winners  -  Captain Victor Sudi all smiles with Kenya Cup Image courtesy of www.bcnn5.com 

Back to the club game though, a causally look at the Kenya Cup standings shows some rift between the clubs. This is the case that the winners Kenya Harlequins won the Cup with 2 games to spare. The 2nd and 3rd placed KCB and Impala clubs had looked like they would challenge Quins for 'Okombe' but the steam ran out by early January with both teams losing fixtures they would have won to take the chase to the wire. It was interesting that last weekend the bottom 2 teams were fighting for survival as one of the teams drops to the Eric Shirley Shield for 2nd tier teams of the national rugby circuit.
Doesn't this show some big gulf between the top and bottom teams? It is true that the level of investment and corporate sponsorship attracted by some of the clubs puts them at a slightly better advantage than others. It is also fair to say that some clubs have been raided by the more 'affluent' ones thus losing their best to these teams.
This ought to be some food for thought for Kenya Rugby Union as they hope to give the Kenya Cup some better form of competitiveness. There is no use for teams to graduate to the upper levels but are ill-prepared more established ones. It is only fair if there is some form of equitable spread of investment. The clubs also need to show more inclusive managerial and tactical improvements. The 15s game is looking up following some good fixtures for the national team in the Enterprise and Victoria Cups. If this is to be sustained, the clubs need invest more in their technical and other necessary investments as may be needed to realise the success.
We should not be under any illusion that the success of a few clubs is good for the winners as it kills any form of competition and the same old same old names are staying up there ( a quick look at the list in the last 40 years, shows only 3 teams have won the Kenya Cup...hmmm...).

All the same, we look forward to some interesting games at both the 2011 Bamburi Super Series and Impala Floodlites.

Kenya can retain World Cross-Country Championship title(s)...

The national championships for the Cross Country usually serve as a measure of what to expect from the Kenyan team at the continental and even more important World Cross Country championships. Last year witnessed a return to winning ways for both individual and team honours after fighting off the Ethiopian - led by Kenenisa Bekele ( and to a smaller extent, Eritrean Zerseney Tedesse) challenges. Some may argue that the wins came about since the main threats had withdrawn which is still the case this year for Bekele.

2011 World Cross-Country Championships - Punta Umbria - Logo courtesy of www.iaaf.org

Well this year the selection seems to have gotten some well-tested legs for repeating the feat. From the senior men to junior women, the team to Punta Umbria -Spain looks quite formidable for the task ahead. The challenge as expected will come from the Ethiopians and lately Ugandans who seem to be catching up at least at individual level.
With Athletics Kenya easily being the most liquid of sports associations in the country, will have no excuses for letting any of these titles slip. The continental championships will most likely serve as a good curtain-raiser to help get the team into shape (though they don't need to show their hand fully to their opponents).
Teams:
Senior Men (12km)
1. Geoffrey Mutai
2. Matthew Kisorio
3. Vincent Kiprop

Senior Women (8km)
1. Linet Masai
2. Vivian Cheruiyot
3. Prisca Jepteling

Junior Men (8km)
1. Isaiah Koech
2. Justin Cheruiyot
3. Philemon Yator

Junior Women (6km)
1. Janet Kisia
2. Jepkorir Kipkoech
3. Faith Chepngetich

We shall be watching as the breeding grounds for future world beaters is unveiled in Spain. 20th March 2011, mark your calendars people!

Cricket: If Kenya continues with this state, ICC was justified in reducing World Cup playing countries

A few days to the start of the tournament, the International Cricket Council indicated that they were hoping to cut down on the number of teams playing in the Cricket World Cup to have 10 nations ( effectively this restricts the WC to Test playing countries eliminating the Associate members from the prestigious event). And from the first game by Kenya against New Zealand, the ICC may feel justified in its proposals.

Kenyan Cricket team captain Jimmy Kamande rides on rickshaw during Opening ceremony of 2011 Cricket World Cup

For the last 5 years, the Kenyan cricket game has deteriorated to its nadir and the showing in the World Cup is not surprising. Even in the run-up to the World Cup the team played some warm up matches which it performed well below par. Cricket Kenya has tried to cover up major weaknesses in the team and the local League has all but gone to the dogs.
Infighting by the officials has meant that instead of the country fighting for Test playing status, it has been reduced to surviving in the Associate membership status ( this means we have had less One-Day Internationals and performed measly in the Twenty20 tournament. Remember Zimbabwe was suspended as a Test playing nation and technically Kenya would have been in good stead to succeed them). We currently languish in the 15th out of 17th nations in the Twenty20 standings. Surely we can do better than this.
An article by Martin Williamson on ESPN Cricinfo carefully analyses the way we have neglected our local game leading to the detriment of international showing. If we come out of this World Cup with a win, it will be out of sheer grit and not any investment made in the team. Have to recall some old hands for the tournament meant Cricket Kenya was really not sure of itself. It may also explain the reason why local media houses have not bothered to air any of the games live ( for fear of showing embarrassing scenes from the Asian sub-continent).
It's tragic when a sport has some much potential and the corresponding sports association dithers to make any meaningful investment. Even when the ICC has tried guiding our association, the Kenyan officials have not made any efforts to that effect.
We shall watch the rest of the tournament, albeit to enjoy the gentleman's game.

In Other News:
No local company wanted association with our boys, and it took the Indian company Karuturi Global Limited to see sense in shirt sponsoring them, what happened? Is it because they do not like what they see at Cricket Kenya or their target market doesn't exist in the Indian sub-continent? (Remember Indian companies have been making in-roads into the African continent, it would only be fair if we at least returned the favour by making some effort. Barbs to Kenyan corporates!)

Football : Shirt Sponsorships-Are Kenyan teams getting their worth?

The off-season has had quite a flurry of activity and the teams have been busy making this and that deal to secure the best interests for their own before the kick-off of the new season by end of February, when the 2011 Kenya Premier League (KPL) season kicks off.
Kicking off? Most teams seem to be kicking themselves instead and have not quite endeared themselves to the Kenyan corporate world. Some of the others who have, have done so for a pittance and not quite exploited their qualities and potential for the deals.

Real Betis Sample Shirt - courtesy of www.footballtops.co.uk

While some may argue that the teams do not warrant shirt sponsorship, there is quite some good that would be done to their financial position if this was secured albeit for  the short term ( short term here being 2-3 years). In a League too that is still learning the commercial bits of the game, clubs such as Mathare United and Sofapaka have led the way in trying to get as much support from corporates as possible. Mathare United alone has secured G4S around $125,000 (KShs. 10 million) and Real Insurance's $ 62,500( KShs.5 million).
A cursory look at the 16 teams making up the KPL sees that almost 75% of the teams do not have a shirt sponsor from the strictest sense of the trade. For clubs to be assured of better revenues, they badly need to make corporates make these deals. Of course having their own management issues resolved is the first part- something most clubs are yet to do. Famous clubs such as Gor Mahia is yet to secure a shirt sponsor, though much has been in the works in the last 6 months to see this through.
It is also important for the marketing departments in most of the Kenyan corporates to find better channels of getting visibility instead of the usual trades of roadshows, ugly billboards and expensive media ads. Finding this might take time but as is usually the case when one corporate firm does something, others follow suit and copy this.
In European Leagues, shirt sponsorships account for about 2-10% of total revenues for most clubs.This comes after the earliest real commercial sponsorship deal signed in 1976 between Bayern Munich and  Kettering Tyres. It also endears the club fans more to the club and almost positively seek to identify themselves with the brands that sponsor the club.
Even the most famous club Barcelona was forced to rescind a long-held tradition of not having a shirt sponsor ( currently they have the UNICEF logo for which they pay approx $2.4 million per year for charity) to the biggest deal starting in 2011-12 season with the Qatari Foundation worth around $ 204 million ( remember Qatar won the bid to host the 2022 World Cup so you see where they are coming from....).
Back here, it will serve well if the football game gets more of the clubs to invest in commercial interests and seek partnership with corporates to achieve financial stability. Of course it shall not be smooth sailing but the clubs, players, corporate world and the game in general shall all enjoy the success. It would also spread the revenue streams that Kenyan clubs badly need.  Get your worth before the season starts!

Top 10 Shirt Sponsorship Deals:
1. Barcelona:- (approx) $34 Million p.a; 5 yr - Qatari Foundation
2. Bayern Munich:-       $32.096 mill p.a; 3 yr - Deutsche Telekom
3. Manchester United :- $27.2 mill p.a; 4 yr - AON
4. Liverpool :-               $27.2 mill p.a; 4 yr - StanChart Bank
5. Real Madrid :-          $22.848 mill p.a; 3 yr - Bwin
6. Tottenham :-             $17 mill p.a; 2 yr - Autonomy & Investec
7. Chelsea :-                 $13.6 mill p.a.; 5 yr - Samsung
8. AC Milan:-               $13.6 mill p.a.; 5 yr - Emirates
9. Manchester City :-    $10.2 mill p.a; 4 yr - Ethihad Airways
10.Juventus:-                $9.112 mill p.a.; 2 yr -Betchic

Sofapaka qualifies for next round of Confed Cup, but should we celebrate?

Over the weekend, the Kenyan football scene was keenly following one of country's representatives in continental challenge, Sofapaka ( of course there was the bungled AFC Leopards elections). Having played to a barren draw in the Angolan capital to Aviacao, the team had the home advantage to play with. But it took more than the regular 90 regular play for the team to be able to break the country's jinxed continental challenge.

Sofapaka Logo - courtesy of www.sofapaka.com

But once the next opponent was confirmed, I think there will be little to celebrate. Ismaily from the Egyptian city of Ismailia. Coincidentally this is the same team they played last year in the CAF Champions League and came undone in the 2nd round losing 2-0 after holding the team to a barren draw in Nairobi.
Our local clubs performance against the North African teams has been dismal to say the least and our current representatives in the CAF Champions League Ulinzi are evidence to the gap we have to close to have any chance of playing in the next round(s) of continental Cups.
If 'batoto ba Mungu' are going to sharpen their attack and hopefully make good their home advantage winning by 2-3 goals without conceding, chances are that they might get close to beating their perennial rivals. That's when we shall celebrate their win...


In Other News:
What happened to Francis Kimanzi's appointment as coach of the team? He may be the factor waiting to beat the North Africans. His technical abilities and past experience would come in handy for the team's continental engagements ( no offence to fashionable Ezekiel Akwana) 

What will save the ailing Kenyan Basketball scene?

Kenya is easily one of the best sporting nations in the continent. But some of the disciplines are clearly putting the nation to shame. Coming as it from foreign assignments, it's a bit disheartening given that there is quite some interest for some of the sporting disciplines, only for the squabbles, demotivating practices to chase away any interested parties - be they youth talent or corporate organisations.
Patriotism v/s Exploitation
Kenya Basketball Federation, led by none other than Mr. Paul Otula. What is happening in Rwanda? Having gone for the All-African Games qualifiers, the teams (both men and women) were seen to be likely to qualify for the continental games to be held in September this year in Maputo, Mozambique.
Before leaving there was a statement made that the national teams training would not be entitled to daily allowances which are usually mandatory for players for engaging their services. For most of these players, there are no regular sources of income and such a declaration would be clearly break the morale of the team.
Getting to Rwanda and the teams do not have official kit for training and have to borrow from their hosts. Also there is no team doctor ( totally suicidal given the physical toll that the game takes on players). All over sudden all hell breaks lose and the team captains ( Ben Oluoch and Angela Luchivya) are handed an indefinite ban for allegedly pushing internal revolt and boycott from the players. From unconfirmed sources, one of the reason was that the players were getting a daily allowance of KShs.500 ( around $6.25). Even if its is patriotism, this is a pittance for national duty. Then follows a unilateral withdrawal of the Federation from the qualifiers as a way of seeking to cover the underlying issues instead of addressing them ( though the Kenya National Sports Council had to intervene and ask the teams to continue playing).
What is wrong with these sports officials? If you had no funds going into national camp, it wouldn't hurt to appeal for funds from the locals. It would also be better to clearly outline the trip's difficulties in good time in case any player wants to withdraw their participation. Clearly it's not too much to ask, but when shall you take the game to another level?

Co-op Bank v/s KCB Lions 2010, photo courtesy of www.michezoafrika.com

Disgraced Play-offs
If the end of the season was anything to go by, we are not entirely suprised by the happenings in Rwanda. The men's playoff finals were a sham. Game 3 had to be abruptly stopped with the claim that one of the team's fans (KCB Lions) were going to disrupt the game and cause physical harm to referees officiating the game. Some of the players from the two teams ( the other was regular play-off contenders Co-op Bank) are in the national team of course, this time representing national interest.

But for a Federation not able to organise its own house, it is not for the Commissioner of Sports to call them to order. There have been claims of maintaining the status quo, but even then, there is nothing much to show. How many basketball courts have they been able to build? How many teams are currently playing in the national and formerly provincial leagues? Does the Federation have a plan of what they want the game to be now, in 1 year, 5 years? Having a senior FIBA official from the continental body ( by the name of Maurice Aluanga who was once KBF Chair), what synergies has the Federation sought to build the local game?

Someone needs blow the whistle on this situation before we lose the game and it becomes a by-gone era. Anyone courageous enough to call it as it is?
You can follow the local basketball scene here, www.kenyahoops.wordpress.com