Bringing Everton To Kenya Is A Dream Come True For SportPesa-Karauri

7th July 2019 - by Mutwiri Mutuota

Technology and entertainment business' CEO hails landmark visit of the EPL outfit to the country as the accomplishment of a vision they set out to achieve when they opened doors five years ago

SportPesa CEO, Captain Ronald Karauri, presents Everton FC player Mason Holgate with a gift during the welcome dinner hosted in their honour in Nairobi on Saturday, July 6, 2018. PHOTO/Duncan Sirma/SPN

SUMMARY

At the same time, the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Sport, Heritage and Culture, Dr. (Amb) Amina Mohamed hailed the nine-time English league winners for impacting the community in Kariobangi adding the visit came at an opportune time for Kenya as it bids to convince motor sport governing body the FIA to re-admit the iconic Safari Rally back to the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar
Everton Chief Finance and Commercial Officer, Sasha Ryazantsev remarked that the opening of the official Everton Kenyan Fan Club on Friday night and the community drive of the EITC in Kariobangi showed the commitment the club has in instituting a firm base of support in the country
Everton then presented president Kenyatta with a special gift that paved way for Silva and his players lined-up on stage to receive mementos of their maiden visit to Kenya before they posed for photographs with the invited guests

NAIROBI, Kenya- The Everton In Kenya tour is a cherished dream come true for technology and entertainment business SportPesa according to the company's Chief Executive, Captain Ronald Karauri when the visiting Blues where hosted to a lavish welcome dinner on Saturday night in Nairobi on the eve of their international friendly against Kariobangi Sharks FC.

Addressing invited guests and members of the team that was led by their manager, Marco Silva at the gathering, the SportPesa chief noted their relationship with the English Premier League (EPL) side Everton stands out from all their partnerships due to the shared values of both entities.

At the same time, the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Sport, Heritage and Culture, Dr. (Amb) Amina Mohamed hailed the nine-time English league winners for impacting the community in Kariobangi adding the visit came at an opportune time for Kenya as it bids to convince motor sport governing body the FIA to re-admit the iconic Safari Rally back to the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar.

"This is the day our dream came true since we started this business five years ago. Other than making history as the first EPL club to come and play in Kenya, it is really a dream come because it has been about the development of sport in this part of the world and we have come a long way.

"Everton have played a team from Kenya, Gor Mahia FC twice and they now have a new opponent in Sharks who will probably become the first team from this country to beat you," the SportPesa CEO told.

He hailed their partnership with the Blues for playing a key role in motivating local talent to believe they can make it big in international football.

"Sharks have risen from humble beginnings to win titles including the 2019 SportPesa Cup in Tanzania and playing Everton will give them the inspiration they can reach that level.

"We have so many shared values with Everton among the partnerships we have entered and there are so many things to do moving forward and I can assure you there will be many Everton shirts in Kenya, more than any other EPL team in the coming years," Karauri underscored.

He noted the activities of the Everton In The Community (ETIC)- the charity arm of the Blues in Kariobangi that have been running throughout the week leading to the landmark friendly christened SportPesa Cup had touched the harts of many in the sprawling low income residential estate.

Crucial role

"I love Everton but it would be fantastic if Kariobangi Sharks beat them for once," the SportPesa CEO declared in closing his remarks as he praised the crucial role the Government had played in making it possible for an EPL team to be hosted in Kenya.

CS Amina on her part said the Head of State, Uhuru Kenyatta, whom she was holding brief for at the function was looking forward to the meeting of Sharks and Everton and the minister would give the Head of State who is out of the country on a visit to Tanzania 'minute by minute' updates of what was happening at the MISC Kasarani Stadium when the game kicks off at 4pm (+3GMT) local time.

Everton FC Chief Finance and Commercial Officer Sasha Ryazantsev (right) presents a gift to the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Heritage and Culture, Dr. (Ambassador) Amina Mohammed at a welcome dinner hosted in the club's honour in Nairobi on Saturday, July 6, 2016. PHOTO/Duncan Sirma/SPN

"I'm amazed and the inspired by the work you have been doing in developing and promoting sport in the country since SportPesa started and it has been more than just the football. Many will be cheering Everton at Kasarani tomorrow (Sunday) because of the great work you have done with our players.

"Great moments are made by great opportunities and good luck to Everton but better luck to the Sharks," the minister stated.

Amina added the visit of the EPL heavyweights had done the country a favour as Kenya seeks a return of the Safari to the WRC calendar from next year for the first time since October 2002 when it was removed from the elite global circuit.

"If Everton can come to play here, then why can't we convince the FIA that we are capable of hosting a WRC event in Kenya?" she posed.

The Chief Finance and Commercial Officer at Everton, Sasha Ryazantsev remarked that the opening of the official Kenyan Fan Club on Friday night and the community drive of the EITC in Kariobangi showed the commitment the club has in instituting a firm base of support in the country.

"It is the alignment of the values with SportPesa that is important to us. Football does not exist without fans and a lot of people have engaged with Everton and the support of the club in Kenya will be multiplied and grow from strength to strength," the board member at the club underlined.

Everton then presented president Kenyatta with a special gift that paved way for Silva and his players lined-up on stage to receive mementos of their maiden visit to Kenya before they posed for photographs with the invited guests.

"African players have big talent and Everton has had great experiences with them and will utilise every opportunities we have to seek talent from this continent.

"First, I hope you will enjoy our game with Sharks and secondly, it is important for my young players to come here and experience how football is played in Africa," the Everton manager said.

Star winger, Theo Walcott, emphasised why it was important for Everton to kick off their 2018/19 pre-season campaign with victory on Sunday.

"It is good to get winning habits in early and it will give the young players a chance to see what it means to play in front of a big crowd because we are sure many will turn up to cheer," the England international added.

Everton arrived in Nairobi on Saturday morning and will depart the country after the game.