•Speaking after Betika began uplifting the Kayole Calvary ground on Thursday, Betika Marketing Manager, Jackie Tonui, said the initiative was part of the firm’s corporate social responsibility.
•Embakasi Central constituency CDF Fund Manager, Elias Mate, said they were elated to be the first beneficiaries of the Betika Na Community field rehabilitation Initiative.
Over the years, Kenyan footballers in the lower tiers have had to contend with breaking sweat on dusty fields owing to a dearth of quality playing surfaces in the country.
But that agony might soon be a thing of the past after online betting firm Betika set aside Sh100 million to renovate a dozen pitches within Embakasi Central Constituency.
Speaking after Betika began uplifting the Kayole Calvary ground, Betika Marketing Manager, Jackie Tonui, said the initiative was part of the firm’s corporate social responsibility.
“As part of our Betika Na Community initiatives, we have gotten into an agreement with the Embakasi Central Constituency Development Fund (CDF) office to upgrade the community football pitch in Kayole," said Tonui.
“This is our first community pitch and we plan to spend over Sh100m in the rehabilitation of such community pitches across the country to improve their conditions.”
Tonui said grassroot football was on its knees due to lack of standard pitches, hence the support doled out by Betika.
“Currently, grassroot teams face the challenge of postponing matches or playing in waterlogged pitches during rainy seasons. In addition, most pitches are hazardous and are a cause of injuries to players due to their rocky and uneven conditions," she said.
“Betika wants to change the game and level the playing fields across the country to give our players a reason to wake up and grow their talent."
The ground breaking ceremony held on Thursday saw senior officials from all sides of the partnership oversee the handover of the grounds to the contractor.
It was witnessed by representatives from the Ministry of Sports Arts & Culture, Embakasi CDF officials, Kayole residents and sports men and women.
Football Kenya Federation chief executive officer Barry Otieno said Kayole Calvary Grounds will be used to host several league matches upon its completion in a few months.
“The Kayole Calvary Grounds will be very helpful to the football fraternity upon its completion in a few months-time and I can say Betika came at the right time as we have been experiencing a shortage of match venues countrywide,” Otieno said.
“The grounds will be hosting Division One matches, Division Two fixtures as well as Regional and County league matches,” he added.
“This is a yardstick in the development of football in grass roots and it will go a long way in identifying and exposing talent especially in Eastlands that has more than 200 teams,” said Otieno
Embakasi Central constituency CDF Fund Manager, Elias Mate, said they were elated to be the first beneficiaries of the Betika Na Community field rehabilitation Initiative.
“From what I have seen and heard, Betika is all about changing the lives of Kenyans by giving solutions that provide long term solutions,” said Mate.