Arsenal, Airtel sign three-year African partnership deal

English Premier League club Arsenal FC and African mobile network operator Airtel today June 28, 2012 signed a three-year partnership agreement.

The deal provides Airtel with the opportunity to utilise the club’s merchandising, hospitality and content rights in five markets – Nigeria, Zambia, Ghana, Uganda and Rwanda, the London team said in a statement.

“Airtel customers in Nigeria, Zambia, Ghana, Uganda and Rwanda will have the opportunity to win match tickets to watch this summer’s pre-season tour fixture and receive exclusive club content and news direct to handsets,” Arsenal said.

The Gunners indicated that it will also support Airtel’s Rising Stars football programme and “will provide UEFA-trained coaches to assist with training in each of the five markets and at an Arsenal Coaching Clinic for up to 50 footballers in London”.

In addition to the agreement, Airtel will be designated as the official mobile operator of the 2012 Arsenal Tour to Nigeria. “The 2012 visit will feature a game between the Arsenal first-team and the Nigerian National Team the Super Eagles on Saturday August 5,” the club added.

The north London side has about 42 million fans across Africa.

By Ekow Quandzie