By James Robert Kayindi
In front of media cameras and officials from the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), Nile Breweries Limited under their flagship beer, Nile Special, extended their sponsorship deal with the national team yesterday at the Luzira based Nile Breweries Limited plant.
The new partnership deal with the local football governing body is worth Ugx 4billion. The deal was announced yesterday (Tuesday, 30th June 2015) morning at a brief ceremony graced by FUFA CEO, Edgar Watson, FUFA vice president, Justus Mugisha, Uganda Cranes head coach, Milutin Sredojevic, his assistant Moses Basena and Uganda Cranes defender, Richard Kasagga as witnesses.
Nile Breweries Limited was represented by the company marketing Director Daniel Ogong, sponsorship manager, Isaac Ssekasi and Sam Hooper.
“As a brand we take special pride in local occasions that bring us together as Ugandans and the national team is such a one,” reads Mr Ogong’s statement on the federation’s website.
According to the sponsors, 1.8 Billion of the new deal will go directly to the federation’s accounts while the 2.2 billion will be used to promote the national team through media and countrywide tours over the four years.
It should be noted the Nile Special has already been part of the National team facilitating the ‘Cranes Na-Mutima’ campaign that saw the team travel to the different regions of the country. The previous sponsorship package was worth UgX 1.2 Billion for three years, running up to October, 2015.
Being a month of Ramadan, FUFA president Eng. Moses Magogo was represented by his vice, Justus Mugisha at the function.
“Our major objective is to improve Cranes’ country-wide appeal so that it remains a viable platform to associate with. This partnership will help identify more players. This shows that the sponsor believes in the football projects of FUFA,” Mugisha remarked.
At the same function, Ogong handed over Ugx 54million to FUFA CEO, Edgar Watson that is said to have been collected by fans during last year’s Cranes Na-Mutima campaign.
Airtel Uganda are the lead/official sponsors of the national team alongside White Star Magic Soap (Bidco Uganda Limited) and National Insurance Corporation (NIC).
Email Robert: Robert.k.circles@gmail.com