Nairobi City Thunder, currently top of the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men’s Premier League, has landed sponsorship from Badoer Investment Limited (BIL), a Dubai-based company owned by Ricardo Badoer.

The Shauri Moyo-based club, previously self-sponsored, was Badoer’s choice following their good performances this season and last.

For the remaining part of the regular season and into the KBF playoffs, the team will don ‘Aidos Kuneen’ kits.

In addition, the company will handle the logistics of the team as well as finance the team with an undisclosed amount of money. The two entities are set to review their agreement in the 2020 season where the company is likely to acquire the club.

The sponsorship deal comes just three months after the company signed a Sh100million sponsorship deal with KBF. The federation is set to receive Sh20 million annually for the next five years to run the league. League matches are also streamed live on their website www.madgoat.tv.

“Talks with Thunder had started way before we entered into an agreement with the federation. Our aim is to do things the Spanish way where they have multi sports clubs. With Wazito already in our fold, we are looking to add Thunder to the family even as we seek to professionalise basketball in Kenya,” said Madgoat Managing Director Tony Munyao.

With the introduction of Basketball Africa League (BAL) where Kenya will be represented by champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) this year, BIL are looking to shape a team for the future with the continental competition in mind.

“We know Kenya has the potential to compete globally and that’s our vision. In order to professionalise basketball, we need clubs that can attract the best players, Kenyan and otherwise, to bring the necessary competition for the league title. If this agreement materialises to what we have in mind, we intend to have Thunder participating in the BAL within the next two years,” added Munyao.

Thunder coach Sadat Gaya exuded confidence in his side giving the desired results for the two sides to reach a concrete agreement after the ‘trial period’.

After missing out the finals last season, falling to Ulinzi Warriors 3-2 in the best-of-five semis, the side started the 2019 season on a high and have lost just two matches to Equity Bank in the first leg and to Eldonets in the second leg.

They have three matches to play, against Warriors, KPA and USIU-A, to the conclusion of their regular league where wins in all three matches will see them finish top of the table ahead of the playoffs.