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Boost for Rugby Super Series as JTL announces sponsorship deal
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 10.05.24. | 16:00
Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has received a major sponsorship boost from telecommunications company Jamii Telecom (JTL) amounting to Ksh. 4 million
The Rugby Super Series made a comeback on Saturday, May 3, after 10 years in the cold.
Despite the anticipation around it, the first leg of the series lacked sponsors, leading to lots of questions from the fans.
However, the enthusiasts will have all the reasons to smile after the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) received a major sponsorship boost from telecommunications company Jamii Telecom (JTL) amounting to Ksh. 4 million.
Ksh1.5 million will be given to the players as cash, while the remaining amount will be used for branding, internet connectivity, and merchandising.
KRU Chairman Sasha Mutai was glad that the partnership was a positive indicator of his administration’s ability to attract financiers.
He expressed confidence that the partnership would attract more sponsors.
“We thank JTL through Faiba Mobile for this partnership, and we intend to grow it further, for they have shown they believe in our vision of taking rugby to the next level,” Mutai offered.
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This is the second time JTL is sponsoring rugby after coming in handy during the 2023 Safari 7s.
“We are happy with the way they have been supporting rugby in the country. We are continuing the conversation, we want them to come with us in the long run now that they have confidence in us,” he offered.
At the same time, Mutai was glad that the series would give some of the best talents a platform to showcase their skills before a larger audience. He also expressed belief that it would enable coaches to select the best team to represent the Simbas.
“It is a pivotal moment for Kenyan rugby, for this is the platform where the best players meet, and they end up forming formidable national teams. It will go a long way because, through it, the union will actualize its plans to have the Lionesses and men’s 15 aside and Simbas qualify for the 2025 and Rugby World Cups, respectively,” he averred.
Jamii Telecom representative Cyrus Sang was happy to be part of the talent nurturing process, noting that it represented a new dawn for rugby in the country.
“We believe in rugby because it has a spectrum that cuts across both men's and women's teams, and we picked rugby because if there is a common objective in terms of building teams and capacity, then you are likely to get value for our money,” Sang said.
The series enters its second leg this weekend with two matches on the card. The Lions will tackle the Cheetahs while the Buffaloes lock horns with the Rhinos at the Nakuru Athletic Club.
