KPL set to negotiate new deal with EABL
Kenyan Premier League Limited is set to negotiate a new deal with title sponsors Tusker.
The current Sh170 million-a-year deal is set to end at the close of the current financial year in June.
The deal was signed in 2012 to run for three years and according to KPL chief executive Jack Oguda, they have opened talks with EABL to renew the sponsorship.
“We are still in the initial stages though of the talks and there is nothing much to report about. However, we are optimistic that we are going to reach an agreement and renew the deal.
PRIZE MONEY TO INCREASE
“Of course we are looking at increasing the financial bit of the deal as well from Sh170million to something better, but we will see how everything goes,” Oguda said.
Oguda also says in case EABL increase the financial allocation, then the prize money for winning the league will increase from the current Sh4.5 million.
The prize money was increased by Sh500,000 at the start of the season due to the new deal signed between KPL and broadcast partners Supersport.
“We usually have a financial review twice in every year and if the deal is bettered then in our next review which is in June, we might increase the prize money definitely,” Oguda added.
KPL TOP 8 SPONSOR
At the same time, the CEO has revealed that they have hired an agency to scout for a sponsor for the annual KPL Top 8 tournament which is set to start in June this year.
The tournament’s start date was pushed forward because of the wrangles earlier this year between KPL and the federation that had delayed the start of the league.
The KPL Top 8 which is a knock-out tournament involves teams that finished in the top half of the table in the previous season.
KPL footall the bills for travel, allowances and accommodation.
The tourney will be in its fifth season this year, with Tusker looking to defend the trophy they won last year in Meru.
“We are still working on the dates to ensure it does not clash with the CECAFA Kagame Cup but we aim at starting in June. We have engaged an agency which is looking into getting us a sponsor for not only this tournament but the KPL Under-19 tournament as well,” Oguda revealed.