The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and telecommunications giant MTN have unveiled a K43 Million three-year sponsorship deal that will run from 2021-2023.

FAZ president Andrew Kamanga thanked MTN Zambia for being an all-weather partner that had remained supportive even amidst the havoc caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The renewed deal that will see FAZ received K14 million annually will also see the FAZ/MTN Super League renamed the MTN Super League under the new agreement.

Kamanga said clubs will be entitled to K1 million annually from the total sponsorship that also includes SuperSport.

“We have also committed to keep our pledge to ensure that the bulk of this sponsorship directly benefits our members. We demonstrated this when we bumped up the entitlement for our members from K7,000 to a minimum of the K200, 000. In the same spirit we shall revise the allocations for our members to a minimum of K1 million which includes the support from SuperSport,” he said.

“With this sponsorship the FAZ MTN League has been renamed the MTN Super League. this is standard practice in world football where a headline sponsor carries naming rights. We want to thank MTN for their continued investment in a product which we hope will be able to pay back with a good return by ensuring that our relationship runs perpetually.”

Kamanga said that the sponsorship from MTN will be prudently managed as has been customary of his leadership.

“However, amidst this despair, we are happy that some of the most progressive partners have not closed their doors. MTN Zambia has been an all-weather partner with a relationship that dates more than a decade ago. On our part we are happy that they have unveiled an improved sponsorship package that will be divided between the package for the 18 Super League teams and the Senior Men’s National Team,” he said.

And MTN Chief Executive Officer Bart Hofker said his organization was excited to be associated with a well-managed league like the Zambian Super League.

“We are extremely proud to realize that our financial sponsorship of the FAZ Super League has contributed to the growth of the league and has seen the increase in the number of participating teams from 16 to 18,” Hofker said.

He congratulated FAZ for their prudent management of resources entrusted to them by sponsors.

“Allow me to congratulate the FAZ president, Mr Andrew Kamanga and his administration for working hard to ensure that football in Zambia continues to thrive and develop by initiating positive policies and putting in place the right structures fir administration of football in Zambia,” Hofker said.

Hofker said the positive imprint MTN has left on the Zambian game has opened the way for other sponsors to come on board.

The K43 million sponsorship deal will be spread between the Super League and the senior men’s national team over three years.

Soka25east.com