MTN South Sudan, which is part of MTN Group, the largest telecommunications company in Africa, has expanded its investment policies to uplift sports standards in South Sudan.
MTN South Sudan, which is part of MTN Group, the largest telecommunications company in Africa, has expanded its investment policies to uplift sports standards in South Sudan.
Speaking during the launching of MTN8 Football Cup in Juba on Wednesday, Phillip Besimiire, MTN Chief Executive Officer, explained that the initiative was aimed at supporting the sport community, and bringing excitement and delightful experiences to football fans countrywide.
Officials from the sports ministry, Juba City Council as well as the country’s sports associations, including football clubs managers, turned up to witnessed the launching ceremony. Out of 16 division one football clubs in South Sudan, 8 teams will be selected to compete for MTN8 Football Cup that kicks-off in April this year.
The selection procedures will be through voting. Each participating team has been assigned a unique number for voting purposes. Fans can vote by sending their preferred team number from MTN line via SMS to the short code 800. Alternatively, they may vote by simply dialing 800 to listen to the MTN voice system in either English or Arabic. Each vote costs SSP1 only and voting will be officially opened on March 1st.
“The MTN8 tournament underscores our corporate commitment to uplift the standards of our local football teams from the grassroots to the national level and is bound to be a favorite with the clubs as it is the shortest cup competition that yields the richest rewards,” Besimiire said.
Peter Baptist, the Under Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports welcomed the initiative, describing it as beneficial to the sports community in South Sudan.
He said the sports ministry was committed to work hand in hand with MTN for better investment in sports industry in the country.
The head of South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) Mr. Chabur Goc said the cup was a big boost for sports, particularly football in South Sudan, adding that it sets a new standard for football sponsorship.
“This makes this tournament not only important but also strategic for the participating clubs, the league and our sponsors MTN. we looking forward to some quality football and we urge fans to vote in numbers to support their clubs,” he said.
The MTN8 Cup winner will lift the champion’s cup and a cash prize of SSP250, 000, while the second winner will earn the second-place trophy and a cash prize of SSP175, 000, and the third team will get the 3rd place trophy and a cash of SSP 75, 000.
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