Betting firm SportPesa to withdraw sponsorship

Betting firm SportPesa have announced that they will withdraw all sponsorship for clubs and federations starting January 1, 2018.

SportPesa CEO Ronaldo Karauri has revealed that with the new bill taking effect on January 1, 2018, they have requested their sports partners to plan accordingly. Karauri tweeted," As @SportPesa we will be giving notice to clubs and unions that from January 1 we will withdraw all sponsorships. With the new bill coming into effect on January 1st, 2018 we want our sports partners to plan accordingly."

Karauri added, "Our cost of doing business as a company will be greatly affected hence we have to consider the impact on operating besides partnerships."

SportPesa are the official shirt sponsors of top league clubs - Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards - and also support National Super League side Nakuru All Stars. They also sponsor the Kenyan Premier League which has 18-teams and Football Kenya Federation.

Recently, SportPesa ventured into Tanzania where they sponsored Yanga, Simba and Singida United. The latest development comes amid government decision to impose a thirty five percent tax on net profits accrued by all betting and gaming firms.