Why the upcountry can be a big market for corporate sponsorship in sports

Sports teams based in the upcountry have been entrusted a lot of hope and faith by their communities, offering opportunities for talented youth to thrive yet continue to face a myriad of challenges due to lack of corporate support in the form of sponsorship.

Kitale RFC, Eldoret RFC, Kisii RFC are among clubs that have shown tremendous resilience in sporting excellence despite limited resources as a great percentage of blue-chip companies based in Nairobi continue to choose putting their CSR initiatives close to their headquarters.

This has watered down potentially more valuable, more appreciable countrywide effort. I strongly feel that relevant authorities should give incentives to corporates to move sports sponsorship to all parts of the country or at least to the most effective areas.

Equity Bank’s initiative to sponsor Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) rugby team would surely give credence to the concept of supporting sports (rugby, in this case) at the source. Great talents are about to be developed and maintained in a rugby enthusiast region.

It is noteworthy to mention the relationship between Menegai Oil company and the drastic growth of rugby in Nakuru.

Likewise, WKSC’s sugar coated rugby at Kabras Rugby Club is synonymous with the growth of rugby in Kakamega.

Kitale Rugby Club would like to appreciate the efforts of the Trans Nzoia County Government lead by HE Governor Patrick Khaemba. Special mention also goes to Mr. Aggrey Chemonges, the highly supportive CEC in charge of Gender, Sports, Youth and Tourism.

We would also like to appreciate local businesses like Westfield Motors Ltd, Club Epic, CEO grill, Highway Bar Ndalu and Home Pub Kitale for sticking with the team over the years.

Nairobi-based Ansoffs Consulting Ltd has also been steadily standing with Kitale Rugby Club. KRU, fan, the local community, patrons and players have also played a great part in sustaining the team. The bottom line is that, ‘it has not been easy without all the above working together’.

Moving forward we need a major corporate sponsor to supplement these great efforts. Rugby is an ideal sport for any marketing and CSR effort.  Here at Kitale rugby we have a sizable fun base, an ambitious and youthful squad and a stable management team.

It should be obvious that in Trans Nzoia we have the strongest Kenyans (farmers) and thanks to the high altitude we have natural athletics – all of which are great ingredients for great Sportsmen and sportswomen.

-Blog by Ben Amboko, a rugby official based in Kitale