A top football club in Taita-Taveta County has received a major boost after getting a three-million shillings sponsorship deal from a local sisal-processing firm as part of the latter’s effort to promote sporting talent amongst youth in the region.
Mwatate United Football Club (FC) received the money from Teita Sisal Estate at Mwatate in an event attended by senior club officials.
Speaking at the event, Teita Estate Farm Administrator Mr. Anthony Nelson said the sponsorship was part of the company’s commitment to promote sport and ensure diverse talents were developed in the region.
He added that already, the company was supporting over 15 other local football clubs.
Mr. Nelson urged Mwatate United FC officials to prudently use the sponsorship money to promote the welfare of the club and players stating that the firm has in the past year halted its support towards local clubs owing to the opaque nature on how the football affairs were being managed.
“We have assured the club that we are willing to support them and we have just started with three million shillings. We are committed to promoting talent and sporting skills amongst the young people,” he said.
Mwatate United is one of the 19 teams in the National Super League and the only team from Taita-Taveta County.
Currently, the team is ranked position 13 out of 19 with 23 points.
Mwatate United Coach Mark Asa said that the team was hoping to make significant progress up the table in the remaining games. He added that the players had identified the gaps in their play and were committed to improving and gaining more points.
“We have conceded goals that we should not have allowed. We are now confident we are going to recover and gain more points,” he said.
The team captain Robinson Joshua said the sponsorship deal with Teita Sisal Estate was a timely intervention that will go a long way to boosting the players’ morale and confidence.
He said that absence of sponsorship in the past made the team struggle to meet operational expenses and this affected the players’ focus.
“We are thankful we have this boost. The players will not focus wholly on training and playing,” he said.
Mr. Gamariel Mwarabu, an official, said the club will embrace transparency in all its operations. He however said they were seeking out more sponsors citing the huge expenses of travelling across the county for away matches.
“We are still calling out for sponsors to come onboard and partner with us to nurture and grow talent. The cost of running a club is high and we welcome other well-wishers to support these young players,” he said.
By Wagema Mwangi
