Soy United Calls for Corporate Sponsorship to Boost Grassroots Football in Kenya

With sports in Kenya gaining momentum, especially following the country's impressive showings at the recent World Athletics Championships in Tokyo and the African Nations Championship (CHAN), community football club Soy United is appealing to corporates and government bodies to invest in grassroots talent development across the country.

Speaking to the press, Soy United Chairman, Lawyer Edwin Ayiro, emphasized the urgent need for structured support to empower young athletes. He noted that corporate sponsorship and deliberate investment from both national and county governments are critical not only for nurturing emerging talent but also for creating much-needed employment opportunities for the youth.

“It is time for both levels of government to fulfill their mandate. We need structured plans that actively involve young people in sports,” Ayiro said.

He is now calling for a government directive requiring every county to support at least one football team and to invest in modern training facilities in every constituency, which he believes will transform the future of sports in Kenya.

By Wasike Elvis

Soy United, a community-based team with a growing fanbase and rising talent pool, is facing financial challenges as it prepares for the upcoming season. According to Ayiro, the club requires approximately Ksh 9 million to cover operational costs, including player and technical staff salaries.

“Without sponsorship, teams like ours risk collapsing. We rely on the goodwill of well-wishers, but that is not sustainable,” he warned.

Ayiro pointed to recent incentives and support offered by President William Ruto to the Harambee Stars as a positive example of how government backing can uplift teams and motivate players. He believes that such support, if extended to grassroots clubs like Soy United, could help turn them into national success stories.