Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier.[Photo/capitalfm]
Gor Mahia FC Chairman Ambrose Rachier has confirmed that SportPesa, rheir sponsor have given an official notification they are set to severe ties with the club.
According to Rachier, the move was received with ‘utmost regret’.
The gaming company is poised to withdrawing funding for clubs – including AFC Leopards and Nakuru AllStars – as well as unions/federations beginning January .
The withdrawal is in response to the passing of new tax laws on gambling revenues.
“It is with utmost regret that one day to the New Year, the sports fraternity has been plunged into chaos as its key investors – gaming companies – face a bleak future in a new era of excessively high tax.
“While we are appreciative of the fact that the government wants to set up a sports fund with the increased revenue from these companies, we are wary of implementation and modalities of this fund.
“It is for this reason that we would like to implore the government to rethink this move which will be more harmful than helpful. Gor Mahia has been through thick and thin over the years. Before sponsors came into the picture, we struggled. This is an open secret. We went from selling bread to raise funds for the club to remain operational and pay players’ salaries, to setting up mobile PayBill numbers,” Rachier said in a statement posted on the club’s website.