Globacom, Manchester United in 5-year Sponsorship Deal
By Femi Solaja, 11.02.2009
Two giants, Africa’s leading integrated telecoms operator, Globacom Limited, and the world’s richest club, Manchester United of England, have signed a five-year sponsorship contract.
The two giants will unveil the partnership deal to the world press at Old Trafford on November 6.
Through the partnership deal, the telecommunications giant, reputed as Africa’s biggest supporter of football, will provide a unique chance for West African cadets to have an international exposure to top of the range training facilities at the Manchester United Soccer Academy.
The deal confers on both partners the right of association in three countries, namely
Nigeria, Ghana and Benin Republic.
Globacom’s Group Executive Director, Mr. Paddy Adenuga, described the partnership as consistent with the company’s leading role in creating opportunities for African youths to give expression to their football talents.
Expatiating on why his company entered into the alliance with Manchester United, Adenuga said:
“At Globacom, we have consistently played a leading role in identifying opportunities and providing platforms for positive transformation of youths through football. This new partnership with the world’s most famous football club will no doubt give impetus to the quest by kids in Nigeria, Ghana and Benin Republic to become world stars.”
In addition to the youth development programme, the deal also has a dream package for the millions of Manchester United Football Club fans in the three countries that will enjoy all expenses paid trips to Old Trafford to watch 14 live matches of the Premiership, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League.
Adenuga also stated:
“Globacom will continue to explore opportunities to satisfy the people’s deep passion for football and we believe that we can enrich such experience by making it possible for fans to meet their club heroes and watch them play.”
Manchester United Football Club fans who are Glo Mobile subscribers in the three countries will receive regular updates on their favourite team and players.
Globacom which started operations in 2003 is Africa’s fastest growing telecoms network.
It has connected over 28 million subscribers in Nigeria and Benin Republic. Its Ghana network is billed for launch before the end of 2009.
Propelled by its vision to be the biggest and best telecommunications network in Africa, Globacom has since commencing operations taken the lead in bringing the benefits of modern technological innovations, ranging from per second billing and GPRS to Blackberry and 3G plus high speed internet to the people.
It has also through its highly affordable pricing forced down the cost of telephone services in the markets where it operates.
Its most recent accomplishment is the landing of the gigantic trans-Atlantic Glo 1 submarine cable which links Africa to Europe and America with incredible bandwidth. The telecoms giant said Glo 1 will bring a new wave of prosperity to Africa.
Globacom is also involved in community development in its areas of operation, including sports sponsorship. It is the sponsor of the premier league and national football teams in
both Nigeria and Ghana.
It is also the sponsor of the CAF Awards for the past four years and the Glo Lagos International Half Marathon for the past three years.
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