Where Are The Sponsors?

It is only just over a week until Kenya arrive in Zimbabwe to play a 5 game series to mark their return to International cricket proper. Cricket Kenya has made some fantastic gains in getting Kenya, not only this tour, but also the tour to Bangladesh that follows in March. Yet, up till now, there has been no news of a sponsor. This is both concerning, and puzzling. It is concerning, as lack of sponsorship is one thing that is holding Kenyan cricket back, even as it strives to reassert itself. Cricket Kenya, and the provincial bodies have, from what I have seen, got the drive to make huge gains for cricket in Kenya, but they need the financial backing to do so. Sponsorship would make a huge difference to the game in Kenya over the next year or so, and a sponsor would get a lot of mileage out of the publicity. Not just in Kenya, but internationally - there are a lot of people out there who would sit up and take notice should Kenya perform well in either Zimbabwe or Bangladesh. With the talent available, and the coaching staff we now have, this is not just a pipedream, it could well become a reality.

Where then are the sponsors? The tainted Kenya Cricket Association has been disbanded, and replaced with a fresh body, Cricket Kenya, so worries associated with the previous regime and how the monies would be spent no longer apply. Cricket has had a fresh start with the new team, in administrative terms, on the field and financially. With ICC backing for more matches almost assured, a sponsor could potentially look forward to a busy schedule giving them plenty of publicity. In the next month alone, there will be in the region of 10 full One Day Internationals for the National team, and plenty of domestic cricket being played as well. In terms of sponsorship, it makes sense. This is the best chance a sponsor will get to stand up and give cricket their backing. Once Kenya have proved themselves again, the queue to get in the door could be a long one. So to all the companies out there: Carpe Diem, and show a little bit of national spirit while you are about it!