Vivo Energy has continued to show support for sports development in Uganda. The company, which markets and distributes Shell fuels and lubricants, through its brand Shell Rimula, has sealed a Seventy Four Million Four Hundred Thousand deal with Rhinos Rugby Club, in a sponsorship that will last for 18 months.
The sponsorship which also includes a new kit for Rhinos, was unveiled by Vivo Energy Managing Director, Hans Paulsen along with officials from Rhinos Rugby club, the sponsorship ushers in a new era for the club which will now take the title Shell Rimula Rhinos.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony at Legends Rugby Grounds, Hans Paulsen remarked that Vivo Energy is pleased to partner with Rhinos Rugby club, which is one of the oldest clubs in Uganda, and affirmed Vivo Energy’s commitment to the promotion of the game.
“This package is a demonstration of our continuous support to developing sports in Uganda. Rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in Uganda today. We are committed to playing a major role in developing local talent,” he said. “I hope this new partnership will see the team’s performance and morale greatly boosted,” Hans added.
Rhinos’ chairman Alex Kalimugogo, hailed Vivo Energy for investing in rugby and Rhinos rugby club in particular.
“Our partnership with Vivo Energy is a major transformation opportunity for our club, as Shell is one of the biggest national and global brands. Uganda rugby has been dominated by two clubs since the revival of the game in the early 1990s – Kobs and Heathens. This partnership gives Rhinos the leverage it needs to break this dominance, which is an overall positive development for rugby in general,” Kalimugogo noted.
“We intend to make this partnership mutually beneficial by ensuring that Vivo Energy and its Shell brands get the mileage they deserve for investing in Rhinos. We now look forward to delivering something unique to Uganda rugby,” he concluded.
Vivo Energy has for many years been involved in sports development in the country with an emphasis on motor sport and now the company is taking on rugby under the Shell Rimula lubricant brand.
Rhinos Rugby Club was started in 1993 by former Rhinos basketball players and has since grown into a regular participant in Uganda’s top tier competition-The Super 8.