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Kampala, Uganda: MTN Uganda today unveiled a sponsorship package of UGX 1.4 billion for Uganda’s national soccer team, the Uganda Cranes. The support package is the largest ever provided to the Cranes by a corporate organisation.
Announcing the sponsorship arrangement in Kampala today, MTN CEO Themba Khumalo said the offer was testimony of MTN’s commitment to developing sports in Uganda and proof of the company’s long-term plans for Uganda.
“The extension of this sponsorship for a further three is a sign of our confidence in the team and its management and commitment to our beautiful country,” he said.
Signing the sponsorship agreement with MTN, FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa said the telecommunications company had proved itself to be a reliable partner over the years.
“We are happy with MTN for this continuing support and we know we can always count on you. The assistance you are giving to the team is for the good of the nation, and we promise to do our best to reciprocate through our performance on the pitch,” he said.
“We thank MTN for opening the doors to corporate sponsorship. Before MTN stepped in to support the Uganda Cranes in a big way, Ugandan soccer was really neglected and the results were there for all to see. But now, with the support you are giving us increasing every time, I am sure the Uganda Cranes will fly higher and higher - we look forward to seeing what this weekend brings,” Mulindwa said.
The Uganda Cranes this weekend take on Angola in an AFCON fixture in Kampala, in their first game as a national team for almost two years. Cranes Internationals Ibrahim Sekaggya, who is team Captain, David Obua, and Tonny Mawejje, Geoffrey Massa and Hassan Wasswa flew in on Tuesday in time for the sponsorship announcement, and will be part of the boosted team on the field this Saturday.
The massive Uganda Cranes sponsorship follows MTN’s highly successful sponsorship of Africa’s first FIFA 2010 World Cup Tournament - where MTN was the first African company to sponsor the world’s biggest football tournament.
About the MTN GROUP
Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a multinational telecommunications group, operating in 21 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: "MTN". As at 30 September 2009, MTN recorded 108,4 million subscribers across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia. The MTN Group is a global sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ and has exclusive mobile content rights for Africa and the Middle East. Please visit www.mtn.com and www.mtnplay.com
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