Sports tourism in Kenya receives a major boost following Sportpesa, KTB and Kenya Airways partnership

Authors:

dennis kibet

February 21, 2017 6:50 PM

Sports Tourism has steadily grown over the years with the Lornah Kiplagat Sports Academy attracting athletes from all over the globe, the local athletics trials for international games and the Safaricom Sevens.

Kenya’s sports tourism received a major boost following the formal partnership of SportPesa, Kenya Tourism Board and Kenya Airways.

This follows SportPesa’s 3 year partnership with Hull City FC, and other sports ventures including rugby, boxing, rally etc, presenting a great opportunity in terms of marketing Kenya as Sports Hub.

The friendly match between Hull City and the Allstars which will take place at KCOM Stadium in the UK on the 27 of February will see the English Premier Club team return for an away match in Kenya set to attract football enthusiasts across the region hence creating a front to promote sports tourism.

Promote Kenya

Speaking at the unveiling of the partnership event, SportPesa CEO said that the different sports disciplines have become the pride of our country with our local sportsmen and women flying the Kenyan flag high in the international scene including rugby, athletics, hockey, volleyball, and now football.

He added that this presents an immense opportunity to promote our beautiful country with its unique wildlife and scenery through Sports Tourism reiterating that the sector held great potential for the country’s Economy.

Kenya Airways Marketing Director Chris Diaz said that KQ was proud to be part of an initiative that promotes football and youth talent development.

Public private partnerships

The Kenya Tourism Board Communications Manager Wausi Walya reiterated the importance of Public Private Partnerships which bring together stakeholders with different skills and resources with the aim of improving the attractiveness of a regional destination, its productivity and the overall management of tourism.

“Partnerships can also be leveraged for tourism, marketing and promotion and we look forward to showcasing the best of what Kenya has to offer on and off the field while in Hull,” she added

The selection of the ‘SportPesa AllStars’ team is the beginning of a campaign to seal Kenya’s dream of participating in the Qatar World Cup 2022.

In November last year 47 talented players were selected from across 16 teams that participated in the 2016 SportPesa Premier League.

After two weeks of an intense training programme this year in January, 18 of the best were selected to take on Hull City at KCOM stadium.

Authors:

dennis kibet

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