Stanbic IBTC has penned a 5 years sponsorship deals with PACE Sports and Entertainment Marketing Limited ahead of the 2019 edition of the Higher Institution Football League (HiFL).
Commenting on the signed deal, the Group Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mr. Yinka Sanni noted that the sponsorship is in tandem with the bank’s determination to help grow and develop a vibrant and productive youth populace in Nigeria.
Sanni said, so far, the company has been impressed with the organisation of the league as its inaugural edition in 2018 set a standard that the bank, as an organisation, is proud to be associated with.
He added: ‘At Stanbic IBTC, one of our core objectives is to engage the youth through initiatives, which will contribute to talent-molding and character-building. We have committed in long term to this project because we sincerely believe that its course is aligned with our strategic vision”.
In his remark, the Director of PACE Sports and Entertainment Marketing Limited, Mr. Sola Fijabi pointed out that the partnership was being shaped by shared core values of authenticity and innovation, and a genuine belief in youth empowerment and development.
“These values will drive the partnership to change the game beyond the pitch, pioneering new ways to push forward the university communities, teams, and development while also bringing students together at both local and national levels”, he added.
Fijabi, who described the sponsorship as a laudable and beneficial one as far as the sustainability of the league is concerned, further said: ‘HiFL is getting bigger and better. We sincerely appreciate Stanbic IBTC for demonstrating commitment in this regard. They have laid a good example for other companies in terms of fuelling their passion and supporting the aspirations of the Nigerian youth. PACE and NUGA remain committed to partnerships that will ensure the sustainability of HiFL as one of the most veritable platforms for grassroots football development in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.’
The Higher Institutions Football league (HiFL) is organised by PACE Sports and Entertainment Marketing Limited (PSEM) in partnership with the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA). The 2019 edition which is billed to start in June will involve 32 Universities from NUGA-member institutions. The teams will play over a period of 21 weeks in a return leg elimination format after the group stage to determine the finalists. The Super Four to determine the winners will hold at the Agege Township stadium, Lagos. UAM Tillers from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi won the 2018 edition of the league after defeating the UNICAL Malabites from the University of Calabar 5-4 on penalties.
Samson Oyedeyi
