Nairobi: SportPesa has unveiled a multi-sport sponsorship investment spanning boxing, motorsports, and rugby, reaffirming its long-term commitment to the growth, professionalism, and sustainability of Kenyan sport.
According to Kenya News Agency, the investment, totalling Sh120 million, marks a strategic expansion of SportPesa’s sports development agenda, supporting multiple sporting disciplines while strengthening local sports ecosystems and creating structured opportunities for Kenyan athletes. SportPesa Chief Commercial Officer Jason Gibson, speaking at the event in Nairobi, emphasized the company’s belief in sport as a national asset, a pathway for talent development, and its commercialization.
Gibson stated that the multi-sport approach is designed to deepen impact at grassroots and elite levels, working closely with federations, athletes, and partners to unlock long-term value. He stressed that sustainable success requires investment, structure, and belief, and highlighted that this sponsorship aims t
o back Kenyan athletes, support local systems, and ensure sport can thrive as a career, not just a passion. He noted that Kenya has exceptional sporting talent across various disciplines, but talent alone is not enough.
Gibson revealed that SportPesa has had a long history with boxing, collaborating with Ultra Fight Series (UFS) to bring title fights to Kenya. The newly launched SportPesa Boxing – Rising Stars initiative will see an investment of Sh40,000,000 to strengthen talent pathways and revive Kenya’s presence on the continental boxing stage.
In addition to being the primary sponsors of the Kenya rugby 7s national team, Shujaa, SportPesa is investing Sh40 million in cash and kind to support the Kenya Rugby Union in staging a world-class HSBC SVNS2 tournament on February 14 and 15, 2026.
In motorsports, SportPesa has extended its partnership with six-time Kenya National Rally Champion Leonardo Varese ahead of the iconic 2026 WRC Safari Rally Kenya, reaffirming its commitment to a sport where Kenya co
mmands global respect. The Sh40 million sponsorship supports the seasoned rally driver and his son, an emerging talent developed through SportPesa’s Tujiamini programme, a pathway designed to identify, nurture, and inspire young Kenyans to pursue sporting excellence.
Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Chairperson Harriet Okatch expressed that the investment underscores the everyday work behind Kenyan rugby, including training fields, players, and pathways. The partnership with corporates like SportPesa confirms their readiness to host the SVNS2 tournament.
UFS promoter Maurice Odera highlighted that the partnership aims to rebuild belief in Kenyan boxing, enabling the development of fighters, promotion of professionalism, and opportunities to compete internationally.
Leonardo Varese, a 2WD Kenyan rally legend, noted the significance of the sponsorship in supporting his family’s rallying legacy and providing his son the opportunity to pursue the same dream.
The multi-sport sponsorship builds on SportPesa’s legacy of
supporting sports in Kenya. Locally, the brand has played a key role in the growth of the top-tier SportPesa League, with an investment of Sh1.12 billion over a decade. The firm also sponsors historic clubs, Gor Mahia FC and Shabana FC, enhancing competitiveness, fan engagement, and club sustainability. Beyond Kenya, SportPesa has demonstrated that local brands can operate on the global stage, notably sponsoring the SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team in 2019.
