The expected high volumes of merchandise from Umbro will force eighteen-time Kenyan champions Gor Mahia to set up club shops around the country in order to maximize on replica sales.

Gor first vice chairman Francis Wasuna disclosed that Umbro will dispatch a shipment of 6,500 replica jerseys for sale beginning this March with an extra 3,500 added before the end of the year.

Wasuna was speaking at the team’s training base at Nairobi’s Camp Toyoyo where Umbro, South Africa chairman Brian Katzen and chief executive officer David Rickets presented to players samples of what to expect come March.

“In the past, we have been selling kits from our offices but the volumes involved in this deal means we have to set up club shops in order to effectively serve our thousands of fans.

It is not limited to replica jerseys but involves other things like polo shirts, travel bags, caps and other items. It is a really good deal and a turning point to Gor Mahia,” Wasuna said.

The global kit manufacturer and Gor signed a three-year partnership which officially begins in June 2019 and runs through to 2023.

Both entities have been courting since 2018 when Gor went to England to play Everton in a SportPesa-organised friendly match.

“I’m happy it has finally come to fruition because we have worked hard to thrash out the deal. We started talking in 2018 when we met in England.

Back then, we were in a deal with Macron who provided just playing kits for the players. This is an improvement since players will get training and travel kits as well as off field wear,” Wasuna added. 

Umbro chairman Brian Kutzen emphasized that the deal was strictly a technical partnership that does not entail direct money from one party to another.