South African banking giant Absa is the title sponsor of the Premier Soccer League (PSL). This was announced on Wednesday at South African Breweries’ (SAB) World of Beer offices in Newtown, Johannesburg.
The Castle Premiership will now be known as the Absa Premier League. The five-year deal, worth R500-million, was concluded on Tuesday night by PSL chairperson Irvin Khoza, SAB sponsorship manager Rob Fleming and Absa marketing director Happy Ntshingila.
”SAB, through its flagship brand Castle Lager, invested in South African football nearly 50 years ago when it was not fashionable to do so. SAB played a key role in football’s development and has made a significant contribution to the strong position the PSL finds itself in today,” said Khoza.
Absa also sponsors the Absa Cup knock-out competition. The sponsorship of that tournament is due to change as well, but it played a role in securing the sponsorship rights of the domestic league for the corporate giant.
”The association that Absa has had with the PSL with its sponsorship of the Absa Cup was instrumental in Absa’s decision to take a quantum leap forward in its commitment to football in South Africa by taking on the sponsorship of the jewel in the crown, the PSL.
”Absa’s commitment to the PSL and professional football in South Africa is today, tomorrow, together,” Ntshingila said.
The first Absa Premier League game will be between Thanda Royal Zulu and Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday. — Sapa