ZESCO UNITED SECURES 2MILLION KWACHA JERSEY SPONSORSHIP DEAL

ZESCO United Football Club has secured a 1-year jersey sponsorship deal with Atlas Mara Bank for the 2020/2021 FAZ/MTN Super League season worth 2million Kwacha.

This deal is a renewal of the 2-year jersey sponsorship agreement that was secured in 2017 and came to an end at the conclusion of the 2019/2020 FAZ/MTN Super League season.

This came to light at a signing ceremony earlier this evening at Protea Hotel, in Ndola where Atlas Mara Bank Managing Director (MD) James Koni expressed delight in the partnership that the two institutions have enjoyed in the last two years.

“When we sat down with ZESCO United Football Club to talk about renewing the sponsorship deal, we were impressed by their plans for the future which included the further commercialisation of the club, investment in infrastructure and most importantly their re-commitment to uplift the many communities they support across Zambia through maintaining football clubs,” he said.

Koni further reiterated Atlas Mara’s commitment to support communities in Zambia: “We have decided to renew this partnership because of ZESCO United’s efforts to support communities through its partnership with a wide range of feeder teams. The club further gives us an opportunity to extend our community initiatives through the five feeder teams that all don the Atlas Mara branded ZESCO United jerseys.”

Meanwhile ZESCO Limited Senior Manager – Corporate Affairs, Dr. John Kunda who spoke on behalf of the ZESCO United Football Club Chairman has applauded Atlas Mara Bank’s commitment and contribution towards the development of football in Zambia.

Dr. Kunda noted that AtlasMara Bank had gone out of its way to extend the jersey sponsorship agreement with ZESCO United at a time when the cost of doing business has become a huge nightmare especially after the outbreak of COVID – 19.

“In the wake of the COVID – 19 pandemic, many global organizations have been forced to activate cost cutting measures in order to stay afloat.  However, Atlas Mara Bank has broken ranks with convention to make this generous contribution towards the growth of ZESCO United Football Club.

This is a clear testament of the Banks commitment towards uplifting football standards in the country,” Dr. Kunda said.

He further said that the decision by AtlasMara to renew the contract is motivation enough for ZESCO United management, technical staff and players.

“I wish to assure AtlasMara, that this renewed partnership has reinvigorated ZESCO United management, players and the technical bench to work tirelessly when the 2020/2021 football season commences.

May I also take this opportunity to assure Atlas Mara that ZESCO United Football Club management, players and technical staff will all be brand ambassadors for the bank and will endeavour to represent AtlasMara with honour and dignity.”

Meanwhile ZESCO United management took advantage of the jersey sponsorship signing ceremony to give its stakeholders a glimpse of the new official jersey for ZESCO United to be donned during the 2020/2021 football season.

Unveiling the three samples of the jersey, Dr Kunda expressed happiness with the club’s commitment to be the best football brand in the country.

“ZESCO United management is profoundly excited with this development which symbolises our tradition to be innovative in these fast changing times.

The 2020/2021 jersey has been developed in three of our traditional corporate colours which are: green, white and orange,” he said.

Dr Kunda further expressed regret at the club’s failure to secure the new jersey on time: “May I take this opportunity to inform the public especially our loyal followers that the club is currently waiting for the jersey to be shipped by our manufacturers.

The delay in having the product on the market has largely been exacerbated by supply chain challenges following the outbreak of COVID-19.”

Meanwhile Football Association of Zambia FAZ President- Andrew Kamanga has saluted ZESCO United Football Club for their resolve to secure sponsorship in the wake of covid-19.

“May I salute ZESCO United for continuing to seek opportunities under the covid-19 strain. To Atlas Mara, we thank you for being fully involved in supporting football across various streams. We would like to encourage other corporate bodies to emulate Atlas Mara to come on board and take up sponsorship,” he said.

Author: Desmond Katongo