Leading sports betting firm, Betika has rolled out various programs as part of the company's response to the Covid-19 pandemic in Kenya, with footballers among the biggest beneficiaries.
In the Ksh27 million intervention, the company is supporting healthcare workers, sports men and women, students and regular Kenyans in various ways.
Footballers featuring for sides in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and the National Super League (NSL) received cash transfers directly to their mobile money wallets to cushion them from the economic effects of the pandemic.
At least 1,050 players benefitted from the Ksh5 million kitty, proving helpful in a season where the top-flight league has been marred by severe financial challenges affecting various clubs.
The funds are expected to help players provide for themselves and their families during the crisis, with all sporting events cancelled due to the pandemic.
"I want to thank Betika for this kind gesture towards KPL and BNSL clubs, especially at this time when Kenyan Football is experiencing financial strain.
"As a federation, we remain committed to exploring measures that cushion our players, right from the grass root to the top tier leagues during this time when football is largely affected by this global pandemic," stated Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa on Thursday, April 30.
At the same time, Betika provided an additional Ksh15 million to cushion the larger sports fraternity in the country.
The funds were channeled through the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage, with Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed receiving the donation.
The firm also allocated Ksh6 million to go directly towards the private sector-led Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund to support operations to combat the virus.
As part of the ‘Betika Na Community Initiative’, the funds channeled to the fund will be used to purchase medical supplies and protective equipment including masks, nasal swabs and testing kits.
Betika also gave Ksh1 million to a group of sixteen students at Kenyatta University who hit the headlines after developing a prototype for a locally manufactured ventilator capable of being used in the treatment of Covid-19 patients.
The company is also raising awareness on how to prevent the spread of the virus through its various channels.
The firm's Head of Business John Mbatiah explained that it felt it had a responsibility to support local communities during the pandemic.
"We are deeply rooted in the local communities and by giving our support to the Kenyan Government relief fund, Ministry of Sports and other sports organizations, we have the potential to build a stronger response capacity so that our communities are better equipped to face the outbreak.
“Being a Kenyan firm with over 90% of our workforce under 40, we know the importance of supporting the youth in this great country and that is why we chose to support the 16 students. This support confirms our commitment to investing in the community in any way possible. We may not fully cover the needs of the community, but we will play a significant part in changing the lives of those that we are able to impact.
"We will continue to monitor the situation and extend further support to the relevant authorities and communities through the fund,” he promised.