Kenya: Cecafa Get Sh9 Million Sponsorship

20 June 2011

Nairobi — The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) on Monday secured the sponsorship of Tanzania Breweries Limited for its regional club championships.

At a ceremony held at the Dar National Stadium, TBL under the Castle brand, will sponsor this year’s Cecafa Club Championships (Kagame Cup) to the tune of $100,000 (Sh9 million).

They will also undertake to cover media and promotional activities.

David Minja, the TBL marketing director, said they want a long term sponsorship for the Kagame Cup and cover the full budget for the championship starting next year.

“As you know, you only came to us two weeks ago when our budget was already exhausted. But we have managed to put something on the table for you to ensure that the event takes place.

Five-year deal

“We want a five-year deal with you so that we can plan a long term strategy,” Minja told Cecafa during the signing ceremony.

Cecafa was represented at the ceremony by its chairman, Leodegar Tenga of Tanzania, and secretary Nicholas Musonye of Kenya

Musonye thanked TBL, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and a sponsor from Sudan who has covered all the travel expenses for all the 12 teams. Kagame is the patron of Cecafa and contributes $60,000 (Sh5.4 million) for prizes. Minja said: “TBL are proud to be associated with Cecafa and president Kagame.

“And we shall do everything in our capacity to change the face of football in the region. And Cecafa is the right platform.”

Tenga hailed TBL and the people of Tanzania for taking the honour to host the event.

“It was a big challenge for us. But we have worked very hard with our general secretary to ensure that we pull different sponsors together to organise this event after Zanzibar and Sudan were unable to do so.”

Musonye confirmed that all the teams had received their tickets and they start arriving in Dar on Wednesday. Twelve teams will contest the championship which kicks off in Dar and Morogoro on Saturday.

Two groups will be based in Dar and the matches will be staged at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium. The draw will be held at the National Stadium on Tuesday. Ulinzi Stars will represent Kenya in the tournament.

AllAfrica – All the Time