…Sponsors Team Jerseys with N 50 million
Sterling Bank Plc and Bendel Insurance FC of Benin have made
history with the largest shirt sponsorship deal in Nigerian club football
history with the unveiling of its N50 million sponsorship deal of the club’s
home and away jerseys for the 2021/2022 Nigerian Premier Football League season.
The sponsorship deal: the first of its kind in the history
of Nigerian club football, saw players of Bendel Insurance FC showcasing their
new kits with the Bank’s full logo embossed on the jersey at a colorful event
held at the Edo State Government House in Benin City, the state capital.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of Sterling Bank PLC, Mr.
Asue Ighodalo, explained that the bank shares the philosophy of development
championed by the Edo State government and sees the state as a development
partner, with the deal representing more than a sponsorship deal, but an
investment opportunity for the bank.
“We see ourselves as true partners with Edo State, because
we understand the development philosophy of the state and that is why we are
committed to the state.”
Also speaking, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki
thanked Sterling Bank for investing in the club. He said the state government
knows, since inception, that sports are about the youths and the youths are
about sports, adding that the state government is creating an enabling
environment for the growth of sports in the state.
Governor Obaseki said that with the successful
implementation of this kit sponsorship deal, the state government has taken its
commitment to Edo State’s sports a step further by engaging the private sector
in sports development.
He said, “For us in Edo State, it is a crucial step to
invite the private sector into sports through a new governance arrangement that
ensures transparency and sets the standard on how to properly administrate
sports in Nigeria.”
“We first gave you confidence by rebuilding the Samuel
Ogbemudia Stadium and 20 new mini stadia in all the local government areas in
the state. And today, we are showing the world again that we mean sports in Edo
by launching and unveiling the new jerseys of our teams.
The problem we have in Nigerian sports today is that we have
not successfully brought in corporate Nigeria to take their brands and support
our local teams. But what Sterling Bank has done is a step in the right
direction and will go a long way.”
Also, speaking, the 1st Vice President of Nigeria Football
Federation (NFF) Mr. Seyi Akinwunmi said the Nigerian football scene is
witnessing a landmark by the arrangement between Sterling Bank and Bendel
Insurance FC. While urging other corporate organisations to emulate Sterling
Bank, he pledged that the NFF will do everything required to make Nigerian
football what it should be.
Among the dignitaries at the occasion were the spouse of
state governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; the Deputy Governor, Rt. Comrade Philip
Shaibu and his spouse; and Super Eagles of Nigeria legend, Mr. Austin Eguavoen,
among others.
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