KAMPALA, UGANDA: The government of Uganda is reportedly in advanced talks to strike a shirt sponsorship deal with English Premier League giants Manchester United.
Senior government officials have been negotiating a sponsorship deal between the European giants in reportedly a deal to boost Uganda’s vast tourism potential to the world.
According to sources, government officials picked interest in holding talks with Manchester United following a visit at the club during the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in August in Birmingham. While on a visit to the club, officials at the club allegedly intimated that they would welcome a partnership with Uganda.
The news was broken by Linos Ngompek, one of the government officials who travelled to the recently concluded Commonwealth Games while appearing on NBS political and current affairs talk show, ‘The Eagle’.
Ngompek was in company of National Council of Sports Chairman Ambrose Tashobya, FUFA president Moses Magogo, Sports minister Peter Ogwang, Government chief-whip Hamson Obua, amongst other dignitaries, in photos shared at Old Trafford, the home stadium of the EPL club.
“We were in the Commonwealth Games and won three gold medals. We also met with Manchester United FC officials. They want Uganda to sponsor the club”, Ngompek said.
“So, they might strike a deal to sponsor the earlier mentioned club,” he added.
Earlier in February 2021, the Uganda Tourism Board named Ugandan long-distance runner, Joshua Cheptegei in a one-year deal, so this will not be the first time the board is considering promoting Tourism through sports.
The Member of Parliament for Kibanda North County added: “If a club has numerous fans and supporters worldwide it can influence and bring masses of tourists to the Pearl of Africa, just like it is to our neighbours of Rwanda.”
“If this partnership comes to reality it will benefit us as a country and it will be a big milestone for us.”
It should be noted that TeamViewer signed a partnership with Manchester United for five years (from 2021 to 2025) in a deal which was worth around £47m per season and it has seen United earn around £235m during the duration of contract.
Three years ago, the Rwanda government agreed to a sponsorship with English Premier League club Arsenal Football Club with their commonly known phrase of “Visit Rwanda” on the sleeves of their jerseys since May 2018 in a deal which was worth £30m.
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