By Samuel Opio
Betting giants Betway have signed a partnership with Express FC that will see them become the Red Eagles’ main shirt sponsors.
The 3-year partnership deal was unveiled in a press conference held at Hotel Africana on Tuesday 6th November 2018 and.
Speaking at the press conference, Betway’s country manager, Agaba Adela expressed her delight to be partnering with Express FC.
“As Betway, we are delighted to announce that we are continuing our support for local football with the drive to make Express FC great again this season 2018/19,” Said Adela.
“The Red Eagles have won the top flight six times and are ten-time winners of the Uganda Cup, but being close followers of local football, we noticed a decline last season as there was a relegation scare for the team that is loved by many. For a club that was always in the top 4, this was a revelation. Betway’s strength as a sponsor comes through enhanced Sports development. The fostering of love for the game and critical support in helping a team realise their potential as can be seen in Betway’s previous sponsorship endeavors in the league. Betway is happy to announce that we will be Express FC’s headline sponsor for the 2018/19 season to a tune of Shs 400 Million,” she added.
This partnership includes shirt sponsorship and Stadium Naming rights, packaged with a leveraging budget as development partners for the team and management of Express FC.
Speaking on behalf of Express, club chairperson Kenneth Kiryowa Kiwanuka thanked Betway for sticking with the club even after all that has happened during the three months of negotiations.
“I would like to thank Betway for coming on board, these negotiations started three months ago and despite all that has happened in that period, they have stuck with us. They are a company that wants to ensure growth of the club and football as a whole but that can only be achieved if we as Express maintain good discipline which in turn will see us move forward,” he said.
Kiwanuka also assured the Express fans that his Executive will continue scouting for more partnerships.
“The Executive will continue trying to bring other partners on board as we continue to do our job off the field, finally, i would like to welcome Betway to Express and Wankulukuku as our headline sponsors,” he said.
Betway becomes the fourth partner of Express Football Club after Equity Bank, Buganda Land Board and Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL).
The partnership has been broken down into four sections:
1. Kit Sponsorship. All Express Kit and Merchandise that includes Game Day Kits, Training Kit, Travel Kit and gear will be provided by Betway.
2. Stadium Naming Rights. The Express FC stadium will now be known as ‘BetWay-Mutessa II Wankulukuku stadium’.
The Betting Company will ensure that the stadium is improved and renovated to look presentable for the club and all people that use it.
3. Players and technical team welfare. Betway’s main focus is to make sure players, who are the biggest asset for the club and sponsors are well taken care of and are motivated to go out on the pitch and look for results in every single game.
This partnership will make players and technical team welfare a priority.
4. Skills Development Partner. Express FC players and management will receive support from Betway’s international football management partner, ‘Forward Zone’ to enable the players have a chance to grow further and for the management team to get training on Sports management at a higher level.
Express are currently 5th on the StarTimes Uganda Premier League table with 11 points accumulated from their first six games.
Their next match will be at home to Vipers SC on Wednesday, 07-11-2018 at 4 pm.
