The Ghana Football Association (GFA) on Thursday, November 3, signed a partnership agreement with MTN which financially boosts the country’s senior national team, the Black Stars’ campaign at the upcoming 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.
The Telecommunication giants are no newcomers in the corridors of Ghana football as they have held the title sponsorship of the FA Cup competition since 2010.
MTN – the headline sponsors of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) hosted by Ghana – now has another layer to their support and promotion of football by coming through for the 2022 Fifa World Cup-bound Black Stars.
The deal is worth $2 million and will run until the Black Stars complete their campaign at the 2023 Afcon scheduled for January 2024.
At a joint media parley announcing the partnership and official signing at the football house in Accra, MTN Ghana was represented by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Selorm Adadevoh, Chief Commercial Manager Noel Kojo-Ganson, Acting Chief Corporate Services Officer Nana Kofi Asare, Corporate Communications Manager Efua Falconer, Germain Nartey – Acting Senior Manager – Marketing Communications and Afua Serwaa Boateng – Media Relations Advisor.
The MTN CEO said: ‘’The passion for the game of football and sports, in general, is very infectious and we are waiting expectantly to watch the games. As a business committed to connecting families, friends, and businesses through cutting-edge digital solutions, we view football as another avenue to connect people. Football reflects what we at MTN describe as “Stronger together.’’
‘’To make a team stronger we have to invest and this is why MTN is here today.
‘’Our sponsorship of the Black Stars is a reinforcement of the faith we have in this nation and in everything that is important to us including our national football assets.
‘’Today, Qatar 2022 is before us. We believe that our Black Stars deserve all the support they need to excel as they take on the rest of the world.
“As a network of choice and based on our track record with football sponsorships, we deem it a great responsibility to contribute our quota towards building and investing in a formidable team who will go all out to excel and bring back the joy, excitement, and unity that football brings to our society.
“MTN is pledging a sum of $ 2 million to the Black Stars in their quest to conquer Qatar. We are confident it will motivate the team to break many records…”
Representing the Black Stars were Sports Minister Hon. Mustapha Ussif, GFA President Kurt E.S Okraku, General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo and some GFA Executive Council members.
Also present at the ceremony was Hon. George Andoh, the Deputy Communications Minister and a member of the Fund-raising Committee for the Black Stars’ World Cup drive as Special Guest.
In his speech, GFA President stated: “MTN has always been a partner of sports and football promotion in this country.
“From Areeba to date, MTN has always been there for a sport that is loved by millions of people.
“MTN, as of today, remains the longest partner of our Football Association.
“Today, we’ve announced a fresh partnership between the FA and MTN in support of our Black Stars for the upcoming football festival up to January 2024 when we compete hopefully at the Afcon.
“Again that tells us clearly that MTN is here to help us fix our problems regardless of the times in which we find ourselves.
“MTN believes that there is a need to support our football and there is a need to keep our gallant warriors as they start the journey to represent Ghana…
“Ghana will be represented by 26 warriors who will go out on the pitch to play for our colours. The team will play with passion…
“Despite the challenging times we find ourselves in, MTN is supporting our Black Stars with $2 million over the next year.
“$2million? For me, it means more than 70% of my problems are solved, honestly.
“We are going to have a quiet and amazing camping atmosphere and this will allow our boys to be fully concentrated for the battles ahead,” he assured.
The Black Stars will open camp for the World Cup on November 10 and play Switzerland in a final preparatory game 7 days later.
When the Mundial kicks off, Ghana will be facing Portugal on November 24 for their first match before games against South Korea and Uruguay on November 28 and December 2 respectively with hopes of advancing from Group H.
