Taxes! Oh boy! Is it that time of the year? No, not yet! But why not get ready and know what the tax man expects from you the professional sportsperson. By a professional sportsperson, I mean a person who makes a living by playing a professional sport. For example, an athlete, footballer, basketballer or cricketer.

As a Kenyan sportsperson, the taxman will specifically be interested in you if you are a Kenyan resident. And what is the difference citizenship and residence? Well, for purposes of tax a Kenyan resident can be an individual or a corporate. In this case we shall focus on the individual.

What happens once you finish your trip? You immediately check on your fuel gauge and refuel. During sports events just like a trip your nutrient stores are depleted and your body needs to recover and replenish. The strenuous games deplete glycogen stores, cause electrolyte imbalances through sweating and muscles are fatigued. The main aim is to rehydrate, rebuild and restore balance to the body. You may notice that you even lose a few kilograms especially for events longer than 60 minutes.

Participating in athletic events is costly. Not to mention eating healthy, traveling to competitions and paying for coaching. It is sad that many athletes miss out on sporting events because of empty bank accounts and not because of their sporting abilities. Well, this does not have to be you! A sponsor ~ no pun intended ~ can sort you out.

Why do sponsors want you?

Believe it or not, you represent the lifestyle that appeals to the sponsor’s customers and audience. You may represent strength, youthfulness, power, energy, performance, swag, being attractive or just someone living the “dream” in their eyes.