Batelco makes history with Bahrain's biggest-ever football sponsorship deal

The sponsorship was announced, on behalf of Batelco, by Ebrahim Zainal, General Manager - Networks at Batelco, in a press conference held recently in the Regency Intercontinental hotel, and attended by HE Sh. Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa , the Association President; Sh. Ali Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the Association Deputy; the Bahrain National Team coach, the team' administrators and the players.

As main sponsors for the national team, Batelco will benefit from branded strips, home-pitch signage and advertising, access to exclusive photography and the right to make use of players in company promotions. In addition, Batelco will be able to conduct corporate hospitality at games and tournaments and use the team's logo on company-branded giveaways.

This agreement builds on Batelco's sponsorship of the team during last year's outstanding season (2003-4), when the Bahrain National Team played in local tournaments as well as World Cup Preliminaries, The Olympic Games, The Asian Cup and FIFA friendlies.

"We are delighted to continue our successful sponsorship with Bahrain's National Football Team," says Ebrahim Zainal, General Manager - Networks at Batelco. "Bahrain has produced a highly qualified and competitive team of players to make up the national squad and Batelco looks forward to celebrating their success during the next four years."

"I am very certain that our new sponsorship will enable you as an association to prepare all of the necessary means for our national team to be as successful as possible and emulate our success last season which culminated in our second place finish in Asian Cup".

"This sponsorship plays an important role in terms of Batelco's marketing activities in that it provides the company with a highly visible, aspirational and effective means of communicating our brand values to customers," continues Ebrahim.

"Football is Bahrain's most popular sport and our national team has inspired confidence and enthusiasm among participants and spectators, both at home and abroad. The players are familiar and easily recognisable throughout the country and region and the team's success has made them role models for the young and popular figures with Bahrainis of all ages."

Last year, the players supplemented their on-pitch performance with a team role in Batelco's record breaking 'One Year' TV commercial, which was the biggest ad ever filmed in Bahrain. The commercial used a genuine Segaiya neighbourhood as its set and featured real life residents together with the national team.

"The appearance of Bahrain's football heroes in 'One Year' was popular with actors, residents of the street and television viewers - and the players seemed to enjoy themselves, too," says Ebrahim.

Batelco's support for football also includes sponsorship of the Bahrain Premier League, together with grassroots and local development projects which give Bahrain's youth the chance to play as well as building experience and training for national team potentials.

High-profile sports sponsorships are an important part of Batelco's marketing mix, play a crucial role in the company's support for Bahrain's sporting endeavours and include: Bahrain's National Football Team, Bahrain's Football Premier League, Bahrain's National Basketball Team and League, the Bahrain Royal Equestrian Endurance Federation, the Bahrain Cycling Association, Bahrain's Superkart Challenge and Bahrain International Circuit.