British-American Investments Company (Kenya) Limited (Britam) has signed a Ksh 9 million shilling sponsorship deal with Tennis Kenya to support the Kenya Open Tennis Championship for the next three years.
As the main sponsor of the tournament, Britam will give Ksh 3 million every year to support the event which has attracted tennis players from East and Central Africa. Apart from hosts Kenya, countries that are participating in the tournament include Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Burundi, Sudan, Djibouti and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Under the agreement, the tournament has been renamed The Britam Kenya Open Championship.It will be held between 16th and 22nd August 2015 at the Nairobi Club.
This year’s Prize Money will be Ksh. 1.2m with the Men’s Winner getting Ksh. 90,000.00 and the Ladies Winner getting Ksh. 80,000.00. The Prize Money will be spread across all the categories.
Speaking during the unveiling of the sponsorship package, Britam Group Managing Director, Dr. Benson Wairegi said that the sponsorship deal with Tennis Kenya demonstrated the company’s commitment towards supporting the development of sport activities in the country from the national to the county levels.
“Britam is proud to be associated with this tournament, which brings together local and regional tennis players. The sponsorship will focus on talent development for the youth, and the training of coaches in order to uplift the standards of the game.” he said.
Dr Wairegi said the sponsorship was also in line with Britam’s Corporate Social Investment focus to nurture the talent of young people and the less privileged in society.
The Chairman of Tennis Kenya Mr. James Kenani said that the Kenya Open Championship will this year be critical for the regional tennis players as it will form part of the final preparations for the All Africa Games.
“It will be a great advantage for the players as they will compete on the Kenyan murram surface before going for the All Africa Games which will be played on Clay courts in Congo,” Mr. Kenani said.
The event will also help to gauge the level of preparedness of the Kenyan Team to the All Africa Championships. As has been in the past Tennis Kenya, will have activities around various Counties through training of Coaches, Players and holding County qualification for the juniors.
Through the qualification rounds, Tennis Kenya will bring young people from at least 10 Counties to come and participate in the Junior Tournament. Some of these Counties are Migori, Mombasa, Kisumu, Isiolo, Nakuru, Narok, Machakos, Kiambu, Kakamega and Eldoret
Britam Kenya Open will have the following categories – Mens Singles, Ladies Singles, Doubles Event, Mixed Doubles, Handicap and Wheelchair Competitions.
Britam’s focus on sports has seen the company secure rebranding rights for the Nyayo National Stadium over the next two years under a KSh80 million deal with the Sports Stadia Management Board of Kenya.
Britam has also signed a two year sponsorship deal with Kenya Premier League side Mathare United Football Club. The sponsorship deal worth Kshs 50 million will be spread over the two years with equal sponsorship amount of Kshs 25 million per year.
The company was also the main sponsor of the Jockey Club of Kenya international jockeys challenge named “Britam Guineas” to celebrate 110 years of horse-racing in Kenya