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Premier Clubs Reject Cellcom $3000 Offer: In Talks with
Another for Mouth-Watering deal
l-r: Musa Bility, G. Andy Quarmie and Cellcom CEO Avishai
Mariziano
Written by Leroy M. Sonpon, III
leroysonpon@yahoo.com
(00231-88585875)
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Topnotch football clubs, which are participating in the
premier league of the Cellcom GSM-Liberia Football
Association (LFA) football league, have resolved to reject
the Cellcom’s club sponsorship deal in the tone of US$3,000
for a lip-smacking sponsorship long term contract with
another company, an investigation has revealed.
The presidents and authorized officials of the premier clubs
at the end of series of meetings, have unanimously agreed to
not accept the pending US$3,000 offered from the
telecommunications giant as part of the LFA’s Direct Cash
Endorsement to participate in the premier league of the
2011/2012 National League.
Investigation conducted by this paper stated that the 16
premier football clubs have authorized the Premier League
Board to seek an attractive sponsorship from Lonestar Cell
MTN, Chevron, APM Terminals, BHP Biliton, ArcelorMittal and
other concessions or big businesses.
The Premier League Board has also been mandated to write
Cellcom GSM, rejecting the US$3,000 offered, but rather to
have them increase the premier club sponsorship, to at least
US$10,000.
The Premier clubs are opting for the increase to improve the
players and technicians’ welfare as well as medicals,
amongst others.
According to the investigation, the second phase of Premier
League may not resume until a mouth-watering sponsorship
deal is consummated.
When our reporter talked to some presidents of the premier
clubs, who begged anonymity, they confirmed their rejection
of the US$3,000 and the authorization of Premier League
Board to notify Cellcom GSM and seek another sponsorship.
The clubs’ presidents also told our reporter of plans to
hang their jerseys and boots failure to obtain sponsorship.
They made reference to the cut-off Sierra Leonean Premier
League because of the lack of sponsorship from the Sierra
Leonean football Association, and others who promised to
sponsor the SLFA premier league. The league had resumed
owing to the intervention of the national government.
When our reporter contacted the Chairman of the Premier
League Board, Mr. G. Andy Quamie, he could neither confirm
or deny the report.
It can be recalled last month, for the first time in its
history, the Liberia Football Association (LFA) has
concluded a deal with its sponsor, Cellcom GSM, for a direct
cash endorsement to the 56 clubs participating in the four
categories of the 2011/2012 national league.
Accordingly, a total of US$106,500 will be distributed among
premier, first and second divisions and women clubs. Each of
the 16 premier clubs will pocket US$3,000; while each of the
15 first division teams will receive US$2,000.
The 13 second division teams will share US$1,500; while the
12 female clubs will each get US$750.
Meanwhile, the LFA has signed a sponsorship agreement of the
national football league with Cellcom GSM that could go a
long way in enhancing the development of Liberian football
if properly implemented.
The US$ 500,000 package which covers all the leagues under
the supervision of the Liberia Football Association runs for
three years until October 2013.
The LFA has entered into another three-year sponsorship over
the nation’s pride and joy, the Lone Star, in the tone of
about US$4.5 millions.
The local football house Boss, Mussa Bility, said the
sponsorship deals, which he described as the largest ever in
the LFA history, will improve the game. He also termed it as
a giant step in Mr. Bility’s ‘football commercialization.’
The sponsorship agreements since 2011 are yet to be made
public for the Liberian people viewing or scrutiny.
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