Nairobi City Stars

Tag: John Mbatiah

  • City Stars players receive, appreciate Betika’s Covid-19 token

    City Stars players receive, appreciate Betika’s Covid-19 token

    All 25 Nairobi City players received Kshs. 5,000 each on Thursday 30 April 2020 from leading gaming firm Betika to cushion them against the economic effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic that has grossly affected football activities since mid-March.

    The package was part of a collective KShs. 5.3 million distributed directly to up to 30 players in the 17 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and 19 National Super League (NSL) clubs.

    City Stars field captain Anthony Muki Kimani who represented the club at the event said; “We feel appreciated. Never before has football been suspended to this extent and this token, though not enough, will go a long way in cushioning us against the economic effects of the global pandemic.”

    And from the office, overall team City Stars team captain Noah Abich, on behalf of the other clubs members, said; “This is a good surprise and it comes in as a buffer to players who are finding it hard to survive due to the Corona virus pandemic that has stopped all football activities,”

    “We thank Betika for being very considerate and sensitive to players countrywide. I also thank FKF for fronting the interest of players that Betika took up.” he added

    While presenting the cheque to FKF President Nick Mwendwa to Muki, as well as Gor Mahia captain Kenneth Muguna, Betika commercial Head John Mbatia reiterated the leading online gaming firm’s commitment to supporting Kenyan football.

    “Football has been largely affected by this pandemic and it is for this reason that we opted to partner FKF in supporting our players,” he said.

    FKF President Nick Mwendwa, meanwhile, thanked Betika for coming through for the players and called on other partners to consider extending support to players from lower-tier leagues, who have also been affected by the pandemic.

    “I want to thank Betika for this kind gesture towards KPL and NSL clubs,” said Mr. Mwendwa.

    “As a Federation, we remain committed to exploring measures that cushion our players, right from the grassroots to the top tier leagues, during this time when football has been largely affected,” he added.

  • Betika hands BSL clubs playing kit

    Betika hands BSL clubs playing kit

    Nairobi City Stars and the other 18 teams taking part in the second tier National Super League all received two sets of uniform and as many footballs from leading betting firm Betika at Camp Toyoyo, Jericho on Monday 24 February 2020.

    The function was graced by Betika Commercial Head John Mbatia and flanked by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) top brass led by President Nick Mwendwa, Vice President Doris Petra and CEO Barry Otieno.

    While receiving the goodies from Betika, City Stars coordinator Samson Otieno said;

    “We are happy recipients of the kit that we can not only use for game days but also for warm up and training,”

    “We appreciate what Betika is doing to the teams in the second tier league as this follows on an earlier package of Kshs 750,000 to all teams,”

    “We also acknowledge the fact that they have decided to top up on that initial token with a further Kshs 100,000. What they give to clubs may seem little to some but to us we understand that big things initially come in small packages.” he added

    While Mbatia reiterated Betika’s commitment in their support at the NSL level and lower with their Betika na Community initiatives, Mwendwa once again appreciated their interest in local game as he confirmed FKF’s support in their quest to change the face of football.

    The token of Kshs 100,000 per club added up to a collective total of Kshs 2 millions for all teams in the league which is not part of the Kshs 90 million deal over three years entered late last year.

  • City Stars to gain in FKF-Betika multi-million partnership

    City Stars to gain in FKF-Betika multi-million partnership

    Nairobi City Stars, as well as all other teams in the second tier National Super League (NSL), are set to earn Kshs 750,000 each season for three seasons, as well as receive 20 quality footballs, after the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) entered a partnership with leading betting firm Betika on Tuesday 11 November 2019.

    According to the partnership deal, Betika will pump in Kshs 90 million to FKF to sponsor the NSL for three years starting with the ongoing 2019/2020 season that is almost half way through.

    The sponsorship deal was announced through the recently launched ‘Betika Na Community Initiative’, which aims to invest in the youth by nurturing talent through Sports, Arts and Culture events.

    Through the sponsorship, Betika will be the sole and official grassroots football partner for FKF with Ksh 45M going directly to financing grassroot football activities across the 47 counties.

    At the Tuesday presser, Mr John Mbatiah, the firm’s Commercial Head said; “This partnership confirms our commitment to investing in the community through sports, arts and culture with football being a key focus. Through this, we aim to improve the standards of the game as we nurture talent both at the grassroot and national level. We also believe we can influence positive change among the youth through creating an atmosphere of talents and skills development in sports. These are the same players who will hopefully steer Kenya to qualify for the 2022 World Cup”

    FKF President, Mr Nick Mwendwa, lauded Betika for coming on board at a crucial time by saying, “Today we mark yet another milestone by launching a partnership for our NSL clubs which we believe will go a long way towards not only easing the clubs’ financial obligations but also increasing the leagues’ monetary incentive.”

    Away from the launch and adding his voice on the latest development was Mwenesi Musalia the current CEO of Jonathan Jackson Foundation (JJF), the sponsor of Nairobi City Stars. He said;

    “This partnership is most welcome. Any little steps towards bringing sponsors to the NSL is well received by City Stars. The incoming finances will help in easing off a burden of costs as we plan our games. We thank both FKF and Betika in striking this deal that will go a long way in adding the value as well as competitiveness of the NSL.”

    Following the FKF-Betika marriage, the second tier will now be known as Betika National Super League.

    It comes at a time the league has completed 13 rounds and on the eve of the next set of matches to be played on Wednesday 13 November 2019.