MTN Secures Football Sponsorship
Just as one Football World Cup finishes, it is now time to start talking about the next one. To that end, South Africa's MTN has announced that it will be Africa's first ever global sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The MTN Group's sponsorship of the 2010 FIFA World Cup affords the company the exclusive mobile content rights for Africa and the Middle East as well as global marketing rights.
Announcing the Group's US$65 million sponsorship over four years, MTN Group President and CEO, Phuthuma Nhleko said: "This is probably the most significant global event that will take place in Africa in the foreseeable future. The event provides significant attractive opportunities for Africa to showcase its ability to host events of such magnitude."
Congratulating MTN, FIFA President Joseph S Blatter said that Africa's time had come and that the continent would shine on the global stage in 2010. "It is historical that MTN is the first African company to be a global sponsor of the FIFA World Cup and I want to commend MTN and Mr. Nhleko on this sponsorship," said Blatter.
In his address during the hand-over ceremony in Berlin, South African President Thabo Mbeki said that the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa would be the first event of this magnitude where the world would be able to participate via their mobile handsets.
"MTN is ready to bring the 2010 FIFA World Cup to the mobile phones of millions of football fans in Africa and the Middle East. We are passionate about football and believe that it is a significant development area as it touches the lives of everyone, everywhere you go. We are privileged to take up this global sponsorship and look forward to being part of this historic event," concluded Nhleko."
Posted to the site on 17th July 2006