MTN Uganda has launched a dedicated online Home of UG Sports dubbed “MTN Sports” to give all Ugandan sports enthusiasts a one-stop point for all sports related news, analysis, and updates. This innovation is hinged on the MTN’s belief in delivering the benefits of a modern connected world to its customers.

Since it opened shop in Uganda over 20 years ago, MTN’s proactive role in sports has positioned the brand as the biggest supporter of local sports through its sponsorships, partnerships and active engagements with the various sports disciplines including football and athletics, among others.

While launching the MTN Sports website, Somdev Sen, the MTN Uganda Chief Marketing Officer said that MTN Uganda decided to launch the MTN sports website, a digital sports hub, to provide sports fans with comprehensive sports coverage of the very best that Ugandan sports has to offer. This idea was further fueled by the prevailing circumstances that have limited fans physical involvement at sports facilities. “That is why we have decided to bring the fun and thrill closer on the screens of our customers,” said Somdev

“Over the years, we have been big supporters of various sports disciplines in Uganda, including MTN Marathon, our support to broadcasting of the StarTimes Uganda premier football league, our continued partnership with local football clubs like KCCA and Onduparaka and support to talent development in other institutions, among others. Local sports, continues to be a major pillar in our sponsorship strategy,” Somdev further said.

Somdev noted that across the world these days, the excitement of sports has spread beyond the confines of stadia and captured the hearts and minds of many through the internet. As such, the new MTN sports website is now part of this digital outbreak of the sports fever across the country. While stadiums may remain empty due to the pandemic, sports fans will continue to remain in the thick of it through this exciting sports website.

Today, MTN Uganda remains known as the founder of the biggest Marathon and the inspiration behind the running culture through which a number of athletes have been nurtured. Additionally, the MTN is also the official broadcast partner of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League and official sponsor of Onduparaka FC as well as KCCA FC.

Visit sports.mtn.co.ug to catch the latest in your favourite sport and to know more about your favourite Ugandan sports personalities, features and more. Also keep up with our own Joshua Cheptegei and the Uganda Olympics team as they go for glory in Tokyo, all on the MTN sports website, the Home of UG Sports.

—–ENDS—–

 

About MTN Uganda

Launched in 1998, MTN Uganda is the leading communications operator in Uganda, offering Mobile and Fixed telecommunications, Mobile Money Services and Internet Service Provisioning. As at 31st December 2018, MTN Uganda recorded 11.2 million subscribers across Uganda. Visit us at www.mtn.co.ug or follow us on www.youtube.com/mtnug and www.twitter.com/mtnug or www.twitter.com/mtnugpro for assistance.

 

About the MTN Group

Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a leading emerging market operator with a clear vision to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world to our customers. We are inspired by our belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code ‘MTN’. Our strategy, Ambition 2025, is anchored on building the largest and most valuable platform business, with a clear focus on Africa.

 

For more information, please contact:

The mediadesk.ug@mtn.com or 0772 123 067 or Rhona.Arinaitwe@mtn.com

Emmy Olaki at emmy.olaki@tbwa-uganda.com or 078 260 5997

 MTN Uganda has announced a generous one-year sponsorship deal for record breaking athlete Joshua Cheptegei.

Following several years of support to athletics in Uganda, Cheptegei becomes the first individual athlete to ink such a deal with the telecom giant.

As part of the sponsorship deal, the teIecom company also announced shs100million contribution that will go towards the Cheptegei Foundation, an organisation started by the athlete to develop young athletics talent in the country. The foundation is based in Kapchorwa.

In addition, MTN also announces a performance package for the athlete if he wins an Olympic Gold, or any other medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. There is also a performance incentive for any other world records he breaks.

Speaking at the press conference to announce the sponsorship package at the Mbale Resort Hotel today, MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer, Wim Vanhelleputte said that the telecom company could not hide its joy after its several years of investment in the sport started bearing fruit in such significant ways as Joshua’s recent exploits.

“We are very proud and honoured to announce this sponsorship deal for Joshua. At MTN, this is the next best thing we can do after several years of investment in developing athletics talent and sport in this country. Through the renowned MTN Kampala Marathon and other Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) programs, MTN has supported the sport for over 15 years. And it is paying off. What Joshua is doing for the country is awesome and deserves to be recognized especially by his country,” Vanhelleputte said.

“Last year, MTN rewarded Joshua with a big cheque when he broke the 5000 meters record. We promised him bigger things if he continued his winning streak. We also promised to get involved in his Foundation, to help build his legacy. So, here we are again, fulfilling our pledge to him. This, I know will inspire him to go further in his career. It will also inspire other athletes to aim higher. I call upon other companies to join us in this as we inspire a greater nation,” Vanhelleputte further said.

Since 2004, MTN, in partnership with the UAF has been a part of the development of Uganda’s athletics right from the grass roots; And, it is from this partnership, that the Federation is steadily growing Uganda’s reputation as a track and field athletics powerhouse.

Through the UAF programmes and the MTN Kampala Marathon, a lot of bright talent has been identified and gone on to shine at various world championships.

Joshua’s rise started way back in 2014 when he won the World Junior Championships in Eugene United States. He became the African Junior Champion the following year, in Ethiopia. He thereafter had some quiet years before bursting onto the international stage in a powerful way, when he won in the 5000m and 10000m races at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. Joshua’s star continued to rise in 2019 when he clinched gold at the World Cross Country Championships and World Championships in Aarhus, Denmark and Doha, Qatar respectively.

In sport, 2020 will be remembered among other things as the year, Cheptegei went on to break records starting with his exploits at the Monaco Diamond League meet, where he set a new 5000 metres world record of 12:35.36, breaking Kenenisa Bekele’s 16 year-old world record of 12:37.35. Later the same year, he also set a new 10000 meters world record time 26:11.00 at the NN Valencia World Record Day in Valencia, Spain breaking the previous world record of 26:17.53 that had been set by Kenenisa Bekele in 2005. On the 14th Feb 2021, Joshua retained his Monaco Run title to mark a perfect start to his 2021.

Apart from Cheptegei, Uganda boasts of other remarkable champions like Halima Nakaayi – the 2019 World Athletics Championships 800m Gold Medalist, Jacob Kiplimo – the 2017 IAAF World Cross Country Junior champion, 2012 Olympic Marathon champion and 2013 World Championships gold medallist Stephen Kiprotich and Dorcus Inzikuru, one of the pioneer participants at the maiden MTN Marathon in 2004, who won the inaugural 3000m women’s steeplechase world title, as well as the first Commonwealth title in the event and many others.

“We are inspired by the results we are seeing in the sport and so reiterate our commitment to continue supporting activities of the UAF and to restore the MTN marathon as soon as we overcome this COVID pandemic and the restrictions it has had on some of these sporting activities,” Vanhelleputte said.

MTN Uganda is a fervent supporter of Uganda sports and has over the years supported various disciplines including athletics, football, basketball, golf, and many others both at national and club levels.