Kenya Simbas have got a timely boost ahead of the 2022 Rugby Africa Cup, thanks to a Kshs 10 Million sponsorship from Teita Sisal Estate through its lodge, The Hildana.
The Sponsorship deal was unveiled on Tuesday at RFUEA Grounds just a day before the Simbas jet out for the Rugby Africa Cup which will also serve as the 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifiers for Africa.
Speaking during the sponsorship unveiling, Kenya Rugby Chairman Oduor Gangla said the sponsorship will be used to ensure Simbas achieve their targets.
“The Kenya Rugby Union appreciates this timely partnership that will certainly be a boost to the Simbas who have been in intense preparations over the past two years for this assignment. Our preparations started with the Rugby Africa Cup Pool B fixtures that we hosted last year in Nairobi before two tours of South Africa in November last year when the Simbas played in the Stellenbosch Quadrangular and the more recent tour that saw the team participate in the Currie Cup First Division competition between May and early June this year.” Gangla is quoted by KRU.
“These funds will be used to ensure the team prepares and performs well in France, “added Gangla.
Jimmy Mnene, the Teita Sisal Representative, expressed gratitude to the lodge for taking pleasure and delight in sponsoring the team.
“The company has been a strong supporter of both Kenya Simbas (senior XVs men) and Chipu since 2019. In the words of Philip Kiryazi, MD Teita Sisal Estate, our wish as a company is to promote and develop our great team to be at the forefront of International rugby.”
‘On behalf of Teita Sisal Estate and the Hildana Lodge, it is our honor to be able to be associated with The Simbas and the KRU. We are delighted by our continued investment in the sport of rugby in the country. This is not just an investment, it is a commitment to the society through transforming and developing the sport of rugby in Kenya. The future of the game has to be promoted to ensure consistency in performance and growth of the game to taking the team to the Rugby World Cup in 2023,” he concluded.
Simbas Head Coach Paul Odera expressed his delight at the sponsorship and promised to make Kenya proud.
“This partnership couldn’t have come at a better time. We are fully focused on the task at hand, which is to secure Kenya’s first ever qualification to the fifteens Rugby World Cup. We go out there with hopes and dreams of the millions of Kenyans and we will make you proud. Thank you once again for this gesture.”
It is the second time that the Hildana Lodge is sponsoring Kenya Rugby teams. They injected 1 million sponsorship from Teita Sisal Estate to the Kenya Under 20 squad during the Rugby Africa Barthes Cup. Kenya Simbas also received 1 Million to support them during the Currie cup campaign in South Africa.
Simbas needed Kshs 10 million to cover their expenditures in France and had organized an online fundraiser to generate funds for the qualifying campaign. The campaign has so far raised just Kshs. 646,627 which is just six per cent of the required amount.
With the Sponsorship, KRU have confirmed the Simbas leave the country at 1.00am on Wednesday 29 June.
The Hildana Lodge is located at the foot of the Taita Hills, surrounded by a 5,000-acre private sanctuary. The small, unique property gives complete solitude as well as unrestricted access to amazing wildlife and birding possibilities. It provides tranquillity and a luxurious respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, a home away from home amid the African wilderness.
