OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Wednesday 10.15pm.
SOUTH African soccer has been given a five-year R200-million sponsorship by cellular network company Vodacom, it was announced in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
The sponsorship deal is the largest ever on the African continent and will also make Vodacom an official partner in South Africa’s bid to host the 2006 World Cup. The deal will also fund a major new event, the Vodacom African Challenge, which will see South African soccer giants, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, take on two of Africa’s top teams next year.
South African Football Association CEO Danny Jordaan welcomed the deal and said it recognises the popularity of the game in world terms.
Vodacom will support all footballers throughout the country from club and provincial to international level. “The under-21s, under-14s, under-17s, under-20s, under-23s, women’s Banyana Banyana and Bafana Bafana will all benefit from this commitment,” Jordaan said.