Supersport not coming back to Kenyan Premier League – CS Wario
By DAVID KWALIMWASports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario has quashed talk of Supersport making a possible return into the Kenyan market.
The South African Pay-TV broadcaster had two weeks ago pulled the plug on a lucrative multi-million shilling sponsorship deal with the Kenyan Premier League, citing a breach of licence agreement.
But despite ongoing efforts by Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa to broker a deal, the Sports Cabinet Secretary on Wednesday called on “other players” in the market to come in and fill the void left by the pay-TV channel.
Wario made the announcement in an exclusive interview with Nairobi News on Wednesday at the sidelines of a function where he unveiled the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya’s Strategic Plan for the next four years.
“I don’t think there is any chance of them (Supersport) coming back,” Wario stated.
‘POOR WORKING CONDITIONS’
He added: “They (Supersport) spoke to me before leaving and explained their decision to quit was majorly influenced by poor working conditions caused by a breakdown in relationship with the Kenyan Premier League Limited. We can now only thank them for their role in developing Kenyan sports and I am optimistic of there are other players who will come on board.”
Supersport’s sudden exit from the Kenyan football scene has not only left a Sh300 million budget hole in the top flight football league, but also rendered an estimated 200 employees jobless.