Cash-strapped Western Stima on verge of changing name

Kisumu-based, FKF Premier League side Western Stima are in the process of renaming to Kisumu United, Chairman, Laban Jobita has confirmed.

The team has been using the name Western Stima since 1997 when it was founded by Jobita, Kenya Power then moved to sponsor the team until last year when they pulled out citing cash flow revenues. It also cut ties with NSL side, Nairobi and Coast Stima.

Western Stima have now moved to completely end ties with the power company and are now renaming to Kisumu United.

"We are going ro change the name, in fact the process is currently underway. Most people are comfortable with the name Kisumu United and so I can confirm that our new name will be Kisumu United Football Club," he told Mozzart Sport.

According to Jobita most people associate the name Western Stima with Kenya Power and it has made it difficult for them to nail a sponsor and the team continues to struggle financially. He added that the team will transform to a community club.

"Currently we are trying to source for a sponsor but with the name Western Stima, it becomes very difficult because people still associate the name with the power company. After consultation with my people, we have opted to change the name, we want the team to be owned and supported by the people of Kisumu and the name Kisumu United is one the people around can associate with," he added.

The football administrator further explained why he decided to name the team Western Stima when he founded it. He says the goal was to promote his then employer, Kenya Power.

"When we started Western Stima, I was working for Kenya Power and I felt it was good to promote the company that I was working for by naming the team after them, and I think they have enjoyed some good mileage during the period before and after they started sponsoring us," Jobita added.

Stima has produced young quality players over the years and Jobita says they want to be stable again so that they can continue giving opportunities to young players from Nyanza and the country in general.

"We have big plans for the team. Once we manage to overcome these financial challenges we will be back stronger, Kisumu, the entire Nyanza region and the country at large is a hub of talent and we at Stima have been giving youngsters a chance to showcase their talents and we will continue to do that," he concluded.

Stima are currently 15th in the FKF Premier League table.