David GOMBE
Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) alongside the Uganda Premier League (UPL) have today formally endorsed MTN Uganda, as the Official Broadcast Sponsor of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League on Next Media’s Sanyuka TV.
This development promises to compliment the great strides the governing bodies of FUFA and UPL have made in promoting and growing Ugandan football over the years. Under this two-year partnership, MTN Uganda has committed to contribute some UGX 600 million as support to clubs in the league through the MTN Fans Awards that will reward performing players, coaches, and clubs throughout the league season.
Depending on table rankings, all clubs will also receive a token financial reward at the end of the season. Under the MTN Fans Awards, fans will choose players and coaches of the month and season. There will also be cash prizes for outstanding players in every match.
The two-year commitment will see MTN Uganda spend UGX 300M per year, with part of the money shared by clubs as prize money at the end of the StarTimes UPL season, increasing the prize money offered by FUFA.
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The partnership was announced on Wednesday, 9th February in a joint press conference hosted by FUFA, UPL and MTN at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Kampala today.
FUFA has welcomed the move, pointing out the need for harmony between all stakeholders to grow the much-loved sport.
Directly speaking about this development, FUFA’s 3rd Vice President Hon. Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi noted,
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“It’s good for the no.1 telecom network in the country to partner with the no.1 footballing country in the region. Football is an indirect means of communication. It’s a vehicle for economic development and unity. I would be right to say that this partnership is long overdue.”
Echoing Hon, Nakiwala’s comment, the Vice Chairman for the UPL board Mr. David Sserebe welcomed Vice Chairman UPL David Sserebe, welcomed MTN back home to Ugandan football, and pondered that “The memories are great; the future is going to be far, far greater.”
On his part, Mr. Bernard Bainamani, the UPL Chief Executive, endorsed the brand when he said.
“MTN is a big brand. The coming on board of MTN is a vote of confidence for other big brands to follow suit.”
The Ugandan soccer administration units recognition of MTN’s contribution in promoting Ugandan football through broadcasting the SUPL on TV is a milestone that will see the game reach wider audiences across the country.
“To compliment the TV live broadcasts, MTN together with Sanyuka TV will activate live viewer parks in different locations especially in Kampala for the public to watch the games and in the process win various prizes through on ground activations. The live match broadcasts and activations will also be extended onto partner radio stations plus on MTN social media pages. All information about league as well as activation updates will be hosted on the MTN sports microsite at www.sports.mtn.co.ug
The partnership will also see bigger MTN brand presence on match days through activations such as “Ekituuti”, where fans will share their opinions of games live on TV, and the “MTN Fans’ Corner” where fans interact with players and coaches.
On his part, Next Media Services Group CEO Mr. Kin Kariisa said.
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“We are delighted for this partnership MTN Uganda have been great facilitators of our broadcast of the league to date, and to see them extend this impact to the players, clubs, and secretariat only further strengthens our product.”
Speaking at the press conference, Somdev Sen, MTN Uganda’s Chief Marketing Officer said that: “With the reopening of the economy and permitting of social activities, the timing to energize local football is perfect. This move to recognize the people and institutions that promote local football is a sure way of growing this much-loved sport in our country.”
The Uganda Premier League (SUPL) is the biggest local football league in Uganda with 320 scheduled matches in the 2020/21 season, 100 of these matches will be broadcast live as a function of MTN’s broadcast sponsorship package.
