Broke Leopards opt for M-Pesa Paybill

Shaken by the recent developments that saw their shirt sponsors pull the plug on their sponsorship as well as that of other sports federations and arch rivals Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards have embarked on a member recruitment drive albeit as a knee-jerk reaction aimed at attaining some semblance of financial stability.

The Leopards were sponsored by a leading bookmaker who pulled the plug last week following a protracted battle with the government over tax arrears.

And now the new club chairman Dan Shikanda says the initiative is to ensure members sponsor the club as they look for alternative sources of revenue.

” We are going to register between 10,000  and 15,000 members in the next two months who we believe will help in solving club’s financial issues even though we have written proposals to different companies seeking sponsorship,” Shikanda said.

The club has also launched Paybill Number 196464 for members to contribute towards the team kitty.

Their plight mirrors that of Gor Mahia who four years ago adopted a similar approach at the height of its financial crunch.

The two clubs are understandably, despite being the most glamorous with the most following in this part of the world, operating on a shoe-string budget with plans to diversify revenue streams being a tired song that has often been brandied at  times of convenience.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Ingwe is now banking its hope on the unpredictable fans to come to their rescue by chipping in through their little ways.

“We are going to launch a new app in the coming weeks that will assist us in running the issues of the club,” Shikanda added.

Shikanda believes the members can make this dream attainable.

In April last year, the gaming firm announced a Sh645 million sponsorship for AFC Leopards, Gor Mahia, Kenya Premier League and Football Kenya Federation, but this arrangement has already run into headwinds with the bookmakers pulling out.

It remains to be seen how the two clubs will handle the dicey situation.

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AFC Leopards DAN SHIKANDA Sponsorship M-Pesa paybill

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