R3.3bn soccer sponsorship
2005-11-22 14:43
Cape Town - Fifa and Coca-Cola signed a 16 year sponsorship deal estimated at $500m (about R3.3bn) in Cape Town on Tuesday.
Fifa president Sepp Blatter announced that the Coca-Cola sponsorship will commence from 2007 including the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and will continue through to 2022.
The deal includes a joint initiative with Fifa that will also make available an allotment of discounted tickets which will enable more South Africans to watch the tournament.
"The relationship will help with the development of the game and bring hope to the youth and create emotion which is what football is all about," said Blatter.
The drinks manufacturer's relationship with world soccer dates back to 1950 and their long association includes sponsoring at junior levels, such as Under-19 and Under-17 competitions as well as championing women's soccer around the world.
Coca-Cola is the only company which has so far officially committed to the 2010 World Cup.
It was also announced that the three month debut World Cup Trophy Tour will kick off in Accra, Ghana on January 7 2006.
The trophy will arrive in South Africa on January 17 before proceeding to the Americas, Asia and Europe, altogether travelling to 30 cities worldwide.
- SAPA