Nairobi — Kenyan Premier League leaders Sofapaka on Wednesday received a record Sh12 million season sponsorship from East African Portland Cement Company through their Blue Triangle Cement brand.

This is the highest single sourced sponsorship given to a self-supporting, community football club for a season in the history of the Kenyan Premier League.

It easily surpassed the previous record of Sh7 million that mobile phone service providers Safaricom gave to another community club, Mathare United, last year when their five-year partnership ended.

"EAPCC is continually committed to the development and enhancement of sport in the country. With the EAPCC providing sponsorships to various sporting fields such as volleyball, gold and motor sport, we felt that it was time for us to create a strong, durable and bright partnership with a winning outfit in the Kenyan soccer fraternity," EAPCC chairman Mark Ole Karbolo said during the cheque presentation ceremony at Nyayo National Stadium.

He added: "This sponsorship of Sh12 million serves as Blue Triangle Cement's commitment to the improvement of Kenyan soccer. We take this opportunity to challenge the corporate sector to support and invest in sporting events and football."

Sofapaka president Elly Kalekwa supported the call for more investment in sports. "People should put money in football. Kenya has a lot of talent that is going to waste. Our administrators should solve their differences so that the youth can realise their dreams," he said.