Former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Sam Nyamweya has termed as illegal the plans to unveil a new sponsor for Shabana FC.
The Kisii-based Glamour Boys, who earned promotion to the Premier League after 17 years in the cold at the end of last season after winning the National Super League (NSL), are scheduled to unveil betting firm Bangbet as their new sponsor in a deal worthy KSh20million during a ceremony set to be attended by Kisii Governor Simba Arati in a Nairobi Hotel on Sunday.
“Shabana will on Sunday, August 13, 2023 launch the 2023-24 partnership with sports betting company Bangbet. The partnership is for a period of one year at a cost of Ksh20 million,” reads a communique from the club,” adding: “The launch event will also serve as a platform for Shabana to proudly unveil its highly-anticipated 2023-24 season playing kits as well as launch its partnership with the women and youth team.”
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However, Nyamweya, who is the legally elected Patron and also chairs the funds drive committee to help raise funds for the team, says he only learnt of the sponsorship through the media and further warned that due diligence must be followed when signing the same.
“I have noted with dismay of a planned sponsorship deal signing for the Shabana with Bangbet,” Nyamweya said in a statement obtained by Africa Top Sports, adding: “I disassociate myself from the said sponsorship signing ceremony after learning of it through the media.”
Nyamweya continued: “Sponsorships are an essential part of the progress of the team and cannot be done in a hurry and without proper consultation and due diligence done on the said sponsor(s). As a patron, I am in touch with the rest of the leadership and they confess their ignorance of the said sponsorship deal signing.”
He concluded: “As a club, we will interrogate all possible sponsors and come up with the most credible, valuable, and reliable sponsor for the team. As much as we appreciate sponsorship we must do due diligence and ensure that the club gets value for its investment.”
Shabana will begin life in the top-flight against fellow promoted side Murang’a Seal FC on August 26.