… MTC, NPL ink massive sponsorship
WINDHOEK – As widely anticipated, the country’s flagship football league, the Namibia Premier League (NPL) and its longtime partner MTC tied up another lucrative sponsorship deal that sees a handsome increase of almost two million dollars per season.
Following uncertainty over the immediate future of the country’s topflight football amidst protracted negotiations after the initial deal lapsed at the end of the 2012/2013 football campaign, Namibia’s largest network operator MTC in conjunction with its trusted partner NPL jointly made the announcement during a glittering ceremony at the NBC premises north of Windhoek last night.
The new deal sees the annual amount jump from N$11 million to N$13 million, bringing the entire sponsorship amount close to a staggering N$40 million over a three-year-period, subject to renewal.
MTC Chief Human Capital and Corporate Affairs Officer Tim Ekandjo emphasized the importance of MTC’s involvement in sponsoring sport, saying: “Supporting sporting talent ensures a brighter future for upcoming athletes. At MTC we understand the impact that sport can have on people and our sponsorship portfolio reflects this diversity,” Ekandjo said, adding that MTC’s support for football is a clear sign that the company is committed to ensure that the NPL machinery functions in top gear and continues to offer the Namibian nation the much-anticipated nail-biting league fixtures football followers have become accustomed to over the last season.
NPL strongman Johnny “JJD” Doeseb expressed his sincere gratitude for the generous financial injection from MTC. “We will do everything possible in our power to ensure that we market the brand of MTC far and wide in all corners of the country, while ensuring that MTC enjoys the much-needed return for its unselfish investment, knowing that this road we have embarked upon will be a long and winding journey towards greater excellence for football development.”’
Doeseb said both parties are committed to achieving great success in the name of football. Meanwhile, the 2013/2014 league campaign will kick off on October 19 with defending champions Black Africa opening their title defence with a home tie against Rundu Chiefs.