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SportPesa offers goodies to local coaches, players and Arsenal fans


Kenyan football players and coaches have welcomed the partnership between local sports betting firm, SportPesa, and Arsenal Football Club.

Under the terms of this historic arrangement unveiled on Sunday, SportPesa becomes the official betting partner of the English Premier League club in Kenya.

Through this partnership, a select group of local coaches and players will receive valuable training tips on modern football from trained Arsenal staff.

The opportunities will be made possible to the selected group during five-day training camps twice per season (year), with each session designed to ensure footballers and coaches in Kenya learn to incorporate the key principles of “playing the Arsenal way” while helping to identify and nurture local talent at the grassroots.

Harambee Stars defender David ‘Calabar’ Owino, who is based in Zambia, and the national football team’s former coach James Nandwa are among those who welcomed the move.

GOODIES FOR GUNNERS’ FANS

“Kenyan football is far behind compared to most African countries, in terms of integrating new tactics, training sessions and other aspects of play. This deal should offer us with an opportunity to bridge the gap,” Nandwa said.

Owino meanwhile said: “We want to learn from the best, which Arsenal is. Such are the chances that motivate us to believe we can compete on the international front.”

The multi-million shilling deal, whose exact financial worth was not made public, will also offer a chance to Kenyan Arsenal fans a range of club-related benefits, including official merchandise and match tickets to see their team in action at the Emirates Stadium in London.

SportPesa’s Chief Executive Officer Ronald Karauri said: “Our aim is to see Kenya participate in the 2022 Fifa World Cup,”

Arsenal’s Chief Commercial Officer, Vinai Venkatesham, who also spoke at the event, said; “Arsenal has a huge support across Africa and we look forward to engaging further with our fans in Kenya”.

The commencement date or duration of this project was not made public.