More Cash In Store For SPL Coaches As SJAK, Fidelity Extend Awards Deal
11th December 2018
For the first time in the four-year deal, insurer to be involved in end of season gala, parties promise to hike monthly prize next season
- The parties signed a one-year deal in Nairobi running from this month to June next year with the insurer stating for the first time their willingness to be involved in the crowning of the Coach of the Year at the annual SPL Awards
- At the moment, the best coach of the season receives KSh500,000 and the amount according to SJAK vice-president, James Magayi, could rise following the entry of Fidelity with the association also hunting other partners
- SJAK president Chris Mbaisi urged coaches to keep improving as their efforts are appreciated and contribute to overall improved performance by the national team
NAIROBI, Kenya- SportPesa Premier League (SPL) technical bench bosses have reason to smile when the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) and Fidelity Insurance extended their partnership for Coach of the Month Awards extended into a fourth year on Tuesday.
The parties signed a one-year deal in Nairobi running from this month to June next year with the insurer stating for the first time their willingness to be involved in the crowning of the Coach of the Year at the annual SPL Awards.
At the moment, the best coach of the season receives KSh500,000 and the amount according to SJAK vice-president, James Magayi, could rise following the entry of Fidelity with the association also hunting other partners.
“What we have now is the least they will get in prize money but the amount can only go higher. We are still negotiating with our partners since Fidelity alone cannot shoulder for the whole award,” Magayi told SportPesa News.
Winning coaches take home KSh75,000 and a personalised trophy, with the latest recipient being Robert ‘The Lion’ Matano of Tusker FC with his Kariobangi Sharks FC counterpart, William ‘Kanu’ Muluya, the reigning SPL Coach of the Year.
SJAK and the insurer pledged to review the prize money upwards following the end of the international calendar transitional season next May.
Improved competition
“We started modestly at KSh50,000 in 2016 and we are now at KSh75,000. Hopefully the award will grow bigger at the beginning of our fifth year so that recipients take home bigger figures than they currently get,” Fidelity Marketing Manager Nicholas Malesi affirmed during a press briefing in Nairobi.
“From our branding perspective and our obligations to the community this partnership gives us a lot of fulfilment and we see positive impact. It such small acts in the sector that contribute to greater things even at national level,” he added.
“We have sponsored the award for three years and it has improved competition among coaches to do better and that has an impact on the level of competition among players.
“This manifests in the national team and we are now proud that Harambee stars are heading to the Africa Cup of Nations,” Malese underscored.
The marketing boss urged local sports governing bodies to be accountable for the monies received from partners to encourage corporate firms to invest more in the sector.
SJAK president Chris Mbaisi urged coaches to keep improving as their efforts are appreciated and contribute to overall improved performance by the national team.
The concluded season saw among others two-time title winning former Gor Mahia FC coach Dylan Kerr, Bernard Mwalala of Bandari, Dennis Kitambi of AFC Leopards SC, Matano of Tusker and Paul Odhiambo of Sony Sugar FC claim the monthly award.