Kenya's Shujaa Rugby Team receives major support from SportPesa ahead of HSBC Series

The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) and SportPesa have announced a partnership aimed at revitalizing the Kenyan national rugby team, Shujaa, with a sponsorship worth KSh 84.15 million. This investment comes at a critical time for Shujaa, who are striving to recover from relegation in the HSBC World Rugby Series.

KRU CEO Thomas Odundo opened the announcement by expressing gratitude for SportPesa's support. He noted that the team's relegation had been a challenging period, but the new partnership has infused energy and resources into the squad, setting them up for a strong comeback. “We appreciate SportPesa coming in for us during a difficult time,” Odundo stated, emphasizing the team's eagerness to excel in the upcoming HSBC series.

Willis Ojwang, SportPesa’s Partnerships Manager, highlighted the company's commitment to grassroots talent development, which has been crucial in strengthening Shujaa's roster. By supporting the national sevens circuit, SportPesa has played a key role in identifying and nurturing local talent, allowing Kenya to establish a competitive presence on the international rugby stage. “We believe in the potential of local players,” he remarked.

KRU Chairman Sasha Mutai also expressed appreciation for SportPesa’s support, noting that the enhanced sponsorship has improved player conditions and training environments. He set a target for Shujaa to achieve a top-8 finish in the HSBC series to avoid further relegation. “Our players are in a better position now, ready to compete at the highest level,” he affirmed.

SportPesa CEO Hon. Ronald Karauri unveiled the details of the two-year sponsorship during the briefing, revealing that this commitment represents a significant increase from last season's KSh 22 million. The funding will allocate KSh 33 million for the 2024/2025 season and KSh 49.15 million for 2025/2026. Karauri praised Shujaa's resilience and encouraged players to continue pushing forward while calling on other sponsors to join SportPesa in supporting Kenyan rugby.