The long awaiting and glamour call for more sports Sponsorship in the Nigeria Professional Football League is coming to fruition.
It's no longer news that Akwa United Football Club has signed a shirt sponsorship deal with online betting platform 1X Bet, and it's reportedly worth in the region of 65 million naira per season and it's for 2 seasons, valued at 130 Million Naira.
The contract was signed Wednesday, 25th May and it'll run from the 2022/2023 - 2023/2024 season.
1XBet is a known global betting brande, and a top football sponsors of major Leagues like the LaLiga, CAF tournaments and Spanish giant Barcelona.
Akwa United as become one of a leading brand in the Nigerian Football League, and by extension an ever expanding and growing fan base. It top notch structural practice has attracted the global brand sponsor into pouring millions of naira into the club.
Factors for the Rise of Akwa United
- Government Sports Policy:
The Akwa Ibom base team in recent years has built the club into a top brand on and off the pitch. By the two administrations of the State; the God'swill Akpabio government and the current Udom led regime.
Football facility and Infrastructure
The former governor set this structure first by building the current FIFA standard stadium in the city. Having a super structure, a thirty thousand seaters, constructed to modelled the Bayern Munich stadium, shows that Akwa United is only club in the Nigeria Professional Football League to play on best sporting facility in the country.
It is also revealed that the performance of the club in the league is a translation of the performance of the State government. In other words, if the club is doing well it shows the government is doing well.
But if they poor in form, the administration would be seen as inept in other sectors of the economy. Surprise right.
More Money
It's on this note the State government has invested heavily in the club in yearly budget, paying her players high in Nigeria standard.
Prudence Club Management under Elder Paul Bassey
Akwa United top brand may not be achieved thanks to management of the club's chairmanship under Paul Bassey. His leadership unarguably has transformed the team that has attracted LaLiga and Barcelona sponsor 1XBet to partnership for two years.
Paul Bassey prudence in the club's brand was acknowledge by Dr. Femi Babalola in his speech said,
1XBet is proud to identify with a leading brand like Akwa United.
“We are delighted to partner with the champions of Nigeria Professional Football League Akwa United. As a leading betting company we only partner with the best brand”
“Akwa United is a top club in Nigeria going by their records in the last five years and we have been following the progress of the club and we can say authoritatively that the club is growing steadily and that is the reason we are identifying with a leading brand like Akwa United”.
“We are working to achieve mutual benefits for both brands and to encourage the discovery of football talents in Nigeria”.
A Historic moment not just for the club but also the growth of NPFL
In his remarks the Chairman of Akwa United Elder Paul Bassey described the partnership as historic.
“This is one of the greatest day in the history of Akwa United Football Club, a happy day for Nigerian football. It’s historic.
“It pleases us that 1XBet is partnering arguably the best football club in Nigeria in the last five years, Akwa United for next football season and we really appreciate this partnership.
“Let me assure us that this partnership will be beneficial and rewarding to both parties. Trust us to drive your products and services to millions of our fans around the world”.
1XBet has sponsored some top football clubs like FC Barcelona, FC Lyon, and major tournament and leagues such as Confederation of African Football CAF, Spanish La Liga and Italian Seria A among others. The company operates in 50 countries around the world and is still expanding it’s reach.