Crown Beverages Limited (CBL), the bottler of Pepsi Cola, has extended its partnership with the Uganda Beach Soccer Association (UBSA) by two years through a new shs300 million sponsorship agreement.
The sponsorship will cater for players refreshments, publicity, team transport, prize money, and other logistics among other things, during the forthcoming 2014/15 season and the 2015/2016 season. The 2014/15 season starts August 24 at Lido Beach Resort in Entebbe.
Announcing the kitty today in Kampala, Mr Timothy Luzinda, the Pepsi brand manager, speaking on behalf of Mr Innocent Tibayeita, the head of sales and marketing at Crown Beverages, said, “We are renewing our sponsorship to the National Beach Soccer League because we believe it is a great platform for brand Pepsi to engage and excite its fans. Pepsi is a youthful brand the embraces fun.”
“The renewal of this sponsorship agreement for another two seasons clearly demonstrates our confidence in the partnership. It also confirms Pepsi’s commitment to this stable, long-term relationship, in which Pepsi partners Uganda Beach Soccer Association both in its various competitions on and off the sand,” Mr Tibayeita added.
At the same event, he handed over prize money to the winners of last year’s league, Kiira Young while the best goalkeeper (Arnold Matanda from Kiira Young), MVP (Lavita Johnnie of Real Galatico) and top-scorer (Roch Samoka of Nkumba Select) got accolades. The first runner up Nkumba Select and second runners up Makerere University Business School also received their prize money.
“The Beach soccer League offers a platform to bring to life our very exciting thematic campaign “Live For Now.” Pepsi Cola is about fun, entertainment, youthfulness and a great refreshing taste. Youth desire to grab as much fun, activity, excitement and spontaneous opportunities. They live in the now. Our new thematic campaign seeks to capture all this that is now.” said Luzinda.
“This year we have quite a number of new exciting activities that our fans should look out for. These include more performances from Uganda’s top artistes, lots of prizes to be won and engaging activities”
Last year, Pepsi bankrolled the entire beach soccer league season to a tune of Shs150 million and the Pepsi University Beach Soccer Championship at Shs75 million.
Welcoming the extension of the sponsorship contract, UBSA president Deo Mutabazi noted: “We are extremely happy that Pepsi have decided to renew their sponsorship agreement as we share similar ambitions; uplifting the game of beach soccer. We very much appreciate their continuing support, especially as regards promotion for sports competitions in Uganda.”
The clubs that will take part in this year’s league season are; MUBS, Zaba, Stormers, YMCA, Sand Pirates, Real Galacticos, Talented SC, and Buwanika Bulls in the Monsoon Group, and Nkumba Select, St. Lawrence University, MUK, Entebbe United, KIU, Richmond Strikers, Braza Braza, and defending champions Kiira Young in the Hurikken Group.
The opening day will see last season’s runners-up Nkumba Select playing against their traditional foes Kiira Young in the Hurikken Group and MUBS facing Zaba in the Monsoon Group, among other matches.
UBSA is now part of the worldwide football/beach soccer family of associations recognised and supported by Fifa having gained admission into Federation of Uganda Football Associations more than a year ago.