Musonye (left), Ghossein and Gordon Oluoch the Kenya sports commissioner at the ceremony

By Reuben Olita

ORANGE Telkom yesterday announced a $175,000 (sh325m) sponsorship deal for the 33rd edition of the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup scheduled for Nairobi and Mumias November 28 –– December 13.

Announcing the deal, Orange chief executive officer, Mickael Ghossein said a further undisclosed amount will be spent on promoting and publicising the two-week tournament.

Flanked by CECAFA secretary-general Nicholas Musonye, Ghossein said the company had decided to sponsor the event as part of the drive to improve the standards of soccer, and to give Kenya a chance to host the regional championship of which the Uganda Cranes are the defending champions.

As a result, Orange gets the naming rights to one of the most prominent soccer tournaments in Africa. The brand will also provide internet connection to journalists covering the tournament from the media centres at the venues.

It is the first time in 15 years that Kenya is hosting the event.

The announcement comes in the wake of a recent move by the brand to sponsor the African Nations Cup, the CAF Champions League, the CAF Confederations Cup, the Super Cup, the Africa Championship and the African Youth Championship for the next eight years.

Orange also sponsors the national teams of Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Senegal, Guinea and Botswana.

Musonye said with the sponsorship, the tournament’s budget is 75 per cent secure and called on other corporate firms to come forward. CECAFA needs Ksh50m (sh 1.25b).

The Kenya government recently announced a $80,000 package that brings together all the 11 member-countries country plus Zambia’s Chipolopolo who will be playing as guests. The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) gave Kshs2m (Ush50m).

“I can now proceed with the arrangements with confidence. On this note I can announce that we shall be announcing the fixtures next week,” Musonye said.

Several former Kenya internationals including celebrated goalkeeper Mahmoud Abbas and defenders Austin Oduor and Josephat Murila graced the function.

The tournament will be preceded by a FIFA-funded seminar for referees.

Musonye said he expects a tough tournament considering that three of the expected countries; Kenya, Sudan and Rwanda are currently involved with the on-going World Cup/African Nations Cup qualifiers.

The Kenya Broadcasting Corporation is partnering with SuperSport to air the matches live.

SuperSport’s Head of Africa Garry Rathbone confirmed that they have finalised arrangements to broadcast live all matches from the quarter finals.

“We are still talking to KBC to work out a formula on how to air the group matches,” he said at the function.