Kenya sports betting firm Betika, through the Betika na Community Initiative, has pumped in Ksh. 80M to support 8 Kenyan rally participants who will be taking part in this year’s World Rally Championships.
The four teams were officially launched by Sports CS Ambassador Amina Mohammed and veteran rally driver Patrick Njiru at Nyayo Stadium on Friday, June 4.
The sponsorship will include driver and car preparation throughout the season, operational logistics as well as spare parts for the vehicles.
The sponsorship is in line with the gaming firm's commitment to nurture Kenyan sportsmen and give them a push towards achieving both their goals and putting Kenya on the global spotlight.
Mr. Nicholas Mruttu, Betika Chief Executive Officer, stated that over the last two years, Betika had invested hundreds of million of shillings in grass-root football and the this year it would venture into nurturing other sports talents.
The teams comprise veterans Hussein Malik, Rehan Shah and new favourites Andrew Muiruri and Maxine Wahome.
Driver Maxine Wahome and her navigator Chantal young made history to be the first Kenyan all-women team to participate in the World Safari Rally Championships.Linet Ayuko is the other lady in the team who will be Hussein Malik’s navigator.
Speaking during the flag-off of Team Betika, Maxine admitted that her team had gone through a lot of challenges during the preparations and thanked Betika for lessening the burden.
“We are particularly proud of the all-ladies team led by Maxine and this shows our unwavering support of both Kenyan sportsmen and women,” stated Mr. Mruttu,Betika Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Mruttu also noted that the government, through the Ministry of Sports has been at the forefront in supporting Betika’s to help nature talents of Kenyan youth abs help them compete on local and international platforms.
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CS Amb. Amina Mohammed acknowledged that the ministry is committed to strengthen partnerships and collaborations with all its stakeholders in order to grow and develop sports across the country.
She thanked Betika, for their sponsorship through the Betika na Community Initiative, attesting that the sponsorship would come a long way in enhancing the teams preparation for the rally.
CS Amina Mohammed also acknowledged Betika’s efforts in supporting sports initiatives and programs as it complements the government's investment in the sector.
“I want to wish the rally drivers veterans Hussein Malik, Rehan Shah and upcoming favorites Andrew Muiruri and Maxine Wahome together with their navigators Shantal young, Harshil Limbani, Edward Njoroge and Linet Ayuko all the best in the rally,” the CS concluded.
