Shirt deal with gaming firm the beginning of success: Shikanda

AFC Leopards Chairman Dan Shikanda believes the three-year shirt sponsorship deal the team signed with a gaming firm Thursday will mark the beginning of success for the club.

Ingwe inked a three-year deal believed to be worth Sh135 million, while Gor, who penned a similar deal with the same firm will pocket Sh 165 million, and Shikanda maintains that there is every reason to be optimistic heading into the future.

According to the former Gor Mahia and Leopards player, winning titles and delivering on all fronts in the region should now be a norm.

“It is a great day, very great day,” Shikanda said, breaking into laughter before adding: “We are overjoyed and I am equally joyful and I’m sure this news will be received with joy by our fans, players and everybody – a good day usually begins in the morning!”

Both clubs have walked on a tight financial rope with lack of financial partners, with the playing unit owed staggering salary arrears.

“We must invest in infrastructure and ensure that we revert to where we used to be in terms of success. We need to be the first and the best in this region.

“By working on infrastructure we will have raised the bar for anybody who will come to lead this club, to know that this is the correct way of running the team,” Shikanda opined.

On his part, Leopards second choice goalkeeper Ezekiel Owade echoed his chairman’s sentiments expressing happiness and signaling that the players’ struggles are now over, at least for now.

“As a player we have gone through thick and thin since our sponsor withdrew but now we have to focus on winning even the league.

Everything will now be in place and players will be comfortable which means that we have to start seeing trophies as a way of thanking our bosses and fans,” said Owade.

His teammate, right back Collins Shivachi holds that the deal is good news to players and it will enable them to invest so as to carter for their future life.

“Players will improve their livelihood by investing instead of just paying rent and buying food,” Shivachi said.