By Jejje Muhinde;
Table leaders APR FC have signed a partnership deal with Tanzania digital television Azam Bakhresa this Wednesday evening at Azam head office.
The partnership is worth US Dollars 245,000 (about Rwf.228 million, where the military side will earn over Rwf 58 million every year for the next four years.
“Working alongside a club with a rich track record of success as APR FC demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the growing Rwanda marketplace,” Azam Bakhresa said adding “We look forward to watching the club continue to scale new heights in both Local league and on continental stage throughout 2019/2020 and beyond”
Azam Bakhresa logo will feature on the front of the clubs football shirts as principal partner, with the Azam Group branding also appearing across the stadium on match day interviews backdrops while the company will as sell their merchandise during match days.
“We’re incredibly excited to announce our new partnership with one of the most decorated local sides APR FC,” said Maj Gen Mubaraka Muganga the vice president of APR FC.
“It is crucial for us to associate our brand with a big, company like Azam Group. This four-year sponsorship deal is an important step for our club, not just from a financial standpoint but, above all, for having the privilege to associate ourselves with a brand like Azam Group. We are convinced that our relation is going to be very beneficial and that Azam partnership will be a complete success” he explained.
Azam TV was the main sponsor for the national local football league, however in August last year, the major broadcasters terminated the league sponsorship deal over breach of contract.
In 2015, Ferwafa and Azam TV signed a Rwf1.7b ($2.35m) deal to sponsor the local football league and became the official holder of the broadcasting rights for five years in a contract that was supposed to end in 2020.
Part of the clause in the deal pointed out that only Azam TV broadcasting cameras would be allowed on the pitches and teams were not allowed to advertise in the stadiums.
As members and beneficiaries, the 16 teams in the topflight league received Rwf 10m for each season, the top eight in the league standing got additional Rwf 2million, the top four got an extra Rf2m while the league winners and runners-up received another 3million with the former pocketing Rwf 25m for being crowned champions.
In 2014, defending champions Rayon Sports obtained a three-year sponsorship deal worth Rwf 170m (182,000 Euros) from SKOL Brewery Ltd.
Azam TV Company which does not accept airing SKOL products including beer on its channels was not happy, part of the reason why they terminated the contract.