Government to renegotiate Stars, EABL deal

The Government on Tuesday admitted that the Harambee stars and East Africa Breweries Limited, EABL sponsorship deal had some breaches and the players concerns over the ‘wrongful’ use of their images were justified.

The Government now plans to renegotiate the Ksh.110m deal that was largely committed to players’ allowances and the technical bench salaries as well as offsetting kitting costs with no ‘direct benefits’ to players.

“The team enjoys financial gains from EABL and the contract clearly states the responsibilities of the company and the team’s obligations,” the minister told Parliament on the contract which he said was vague on the players benefits.

“I will be bringing to the table officials of the Harambee Stars Management Board, EABL and Football Kenya Federation to try and resolve these issues arising from the contract.”

EABL has always maintained that the deal allowed them use of images of Harambee stars players for marketing and promotional activities, without negotiating with the individuals concerned, an issue that did not go down well with the team.

The row came to fore just before Stars 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Togo was Captain Dennis Oliech, Parma Midfielder MacDonald Mariga and Sofapaka striker Bob Mugalia filed a suit to sue the team sponsor EABL over wrongful use of their image.

Then last month Oliech quit the National team over the unresolved row. The Sports Minister who was responding to a question raised last week by Eldoret South MP Peris Chepchumba, who had sought to know why corporates were using athletes images illegally without any direct benefit.

However Otuoma, maintained that the Auxerre striker was still part of the Harambee Stars squad as they had not received any communication suggesting the contrary.

“We have read from the media and social media that he has withdrawn from Stars but my Ministry has not received any communication on this.”

 Evelyn Watta

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