Kenya’s sports betting and entertainment company, Betika, has signed a Sh42 million sponsorship deal with the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), as the Official Sponsor for the upcoming 2025 CECAFA Kagame Cup.
The regional inter-club competition is set to take place from September 2 to September 15 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania as 12 teams from within the region battle for glory.
Betika-sponsored Kenya Police FC will represent Kenya while Singida Black Stars will do so for the host nation, Tanzania. Last year’s finalists and three-time winners APR FC will fly the flag for Rwanda.
Vipers SC (Uganda), El Merriekh SC Bentiu (South Sudan), Mlandege FC (Zanzibar), Flambeau du Centre (Burundi), Garde Cotes FC (Djibouti), Ethiopian Coffee FC (Ethiopia), Al Hilal Omdurman (Sudan), and Alahly SC Wad Madani (Sudan) will make the other teams for the tournament.
Speaking during the event today in a Nairobi hotel, Betika Group CEO Mutua Mutava said that the agreement reflects belief in football’s power to unite and transform communities noting that football is more than a game, it’s a powerful force that unites communities and sparks passion across borders.
“Our commitment is to provide the resources, visibility, and experiences that will make this Kagame Cup the most memorable yet,” he said.
He said that this sponsorship is not just about funding football; it’s about investing in people, building connections across nations, and giving the region’s immense talent a platform to shine
“Our vision goes beyond one team; we are proud that Betika will also be represented in Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Uganda, and our local teams will be on the ground throughout the tournament to ensure players, clubs, and fans feel our full support.
CECAFA Vice President Paulos Andemariam said this partnership reflects the power of collaboration between football and the private sector, and it demonstrates the confidence that a leading brand has in the value and potential of CECAFA competitions.
“We are pleased to enter a partnership with Betika. With them as the official sponsor, we are taking this great tournament into a new era,” he said.
The Kagame Cup, named in honour of Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, a long-time patron of the tournament, has grown into a premier football event in East and Central Africa.
Beyond the fierce on-pitch competition, the tournament embodies sports diplomacy, cultural exchange, and regional unity through the love of football.
By Anita Omwenga
