MTN pumps $170,000 in COSAFA Cup

s=”f”>Zambia Daily Mail by Online Editor on 6/19/13

By DIANA MUTAKAFIMBO
MTN Zambia has pumped US$170, 000 (about KR935, 000) towards the hosting of the 2013 Council of Southern Africa Football Association (COSAFA) Castle Senior Challenge Cup, which Zambia will host starting on July 6.
The mobile telecommunications company has become the platinum sponsor for the regional tournament, which has SABMiller under the Castle brand as main sponsors.
Both MTN Zambia and the COSAFA secretariat confirmed the development yesterday.
MTN Zambia chief marketing officer Clement Asante pledged his company’s commitment to supporting football.
Asante said in a statement issued in Lusaka that MTN Zambia is proud to take up the platinum sponsorship, which shows the company’s commitment to supporting football in Africa.
“The COSAFA tournament is an important event on the soccer calendar as it not only unite soccer fans but also creates an opportunity for football associations to exchange ideas on how to grow the sport in the region and make the teams more competitive beyond southern Africa,” he said.
Asante said Zambia’s hosting of the regional tournament is a perfect opportunity for players in the Super Division to showcase their talent, which may land them professional deals.
MTN are the major sponsors of the Super Division and part sponsors of the Zambia national soccer team.
“The hosting of the tournament in Zambia makes it even more interesting for us as MTN Zambia because we sponsor the national soccer team and the MTN FAZ League. This is a perfect opportunity for all young players taking part to make an impression on an international stage and pursue professional careers,” he said.
Asante is confident that Zambia will successfully host the tournament to the satisfaction of the organisers and the entire soccer fraternity and that the success Zambia has scored in the recent past gives the country enough motivation and impetus to host international tournaments.
“Zambia is now home to one of the most competitive leagues in Africa viewed on television across the continent. That coupled with the successful hosting of the Zone 6 games last year, make Zambia the ideal place to host any international sports tournament,” Asante said.
The US$170,000 platinum sponsorship package entails that MTN Zambia has the exclusive and official telecommunications rights of the 2013 COSAFA Castle Cup tournament.
MTN Zambia will also be responsible for awarding the man-of-the-match for 10 different games during the tournament among other obligations.
Zambia will enter the tournament at the quarter-final stage and will face Mozambique.
Meanwhile, Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) has also partnered with COSAFA to host the tournament.
MCM chief executive officer Danny Callow said the mining firm will offer financial support to the tournament.
He, however, did not disclose the amount the mining firm would pump to help successfully host the tournament.
Nkana Stadium in Kitwe, which the company recently refurbished and maintains, will be one of the venues for the tournament.
MCM sponsor Super Division side Nkana.
The tournament will be held in Lusaka, Kitwe and Ndola from July 6 to 20.