Sponsorships

Standard Bank boosts African football

2006 was a great year for us as we confirmed our support for football by announcing a R15 million injection into African football over three years, and became an official sponsor and partner to the MTN CAF Champions League, and the MTN Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana 2008.

For the first time the Afcon trophy was released for a six-week pre-tournament tour of the continent. The trophy was presented to 18 countries in which Standard Bank operates. It was about sharing the passion of Africa’s soccer showpiece with supporters, customers and our staff.

Heading the tour was our own ambassador and former Ghanaian football great, Abedi Pele, whose final stop was Ghana a few days before kick-off in Accra.

Throughout the tournament we entertained competition winners and guests in the Standard Bank Blue Lounge in the Accra and Kumasi stadiums, treating our guests to accredited access, enclosed viewing deck, air conditioning and food and drinks services.

We also constructed a sensory African football experience for fans in central Accra, called The Talking Drum. This giant interactive tunnel was designed to promote the shared passion of football through engaging the visitors’ senses. The design and pattern of this unique structure originated from African drum patterns, with a centre piece carrying an elevated giant replica of the MTN Africa Cup of Nations trophy.

Standard Bank’s sponsorship has helped invigorate football structures continent-wide with new levels of professionalism, bringing resources that ensure new talents and players are brought into the system, and that the industry around football continues to grow.

Afcon is the biggest football event on the continent, and is a notable contributor to African aspirations in the Fifa 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa.