MTN Uganda released a statement today confirming that the telecom giant’s sponsorship of the Uganda National Football team had ended after 10 years.
Here’s the full statement:
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has rejected the offer made by MTN Uganda to renew its sponsorship of the Uganda Cranes and Regional Football.
MTN Uganda’s Chief Marketing Officer said that the company has failed to agree on a sponsorship renewal deal with FUFA as they presented a non-negotiable deal. He said that the terms of the deal were however outside MTN’s sponsorship budget.
“At MTN we genuinely believe in the team and our nation and we are extremely proud of the accomplishments we have achieved together over the last 10 years. No doubt that the recent ‘We Believe’ campaign from MTN has inspired the nation and the Cranes for them to have gone on to quality for CHAN 2014”, said Ernst Fonternel, MTN Uganda Chief Marketing Officer.
MTN has consistently supported the sporting fraternity in Uganda and aside from football, it has assisted many sports over the years including rugby, basketball, volleyball, table tennis and golf amongst others. Through the MTN Arena in Lugogo, which was refurbished by MTN in 2010 to be the largest and most modern indoor stadium in Uganda and the region, we are leaving a legacy for Ugandans to benefit from. The MTN Kampala Marathon now in its 10th year has supported many noble causes over the years and remains the flagship event on the Uganda Sports and Social Calendar. This year alone, MTN will donate UShs 400 million to assist communities in need for clean and safe water. The company has successfully partnered with the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) over the last decade to uplift upcoming Ugandan athletes.
“MTN is proud of the role it has played in the growth and popularity of Football in Uganda. With a yellow family of 8.4 million we remain the biggest supporters of Sports in Uganda and wish them best of luck for the future”, concluded Fonternel.
