FNB will not sponsor NPL but will stick to club sponsoring

By: Chester Uamunika The First National Bank of Namibia wants to help develop football in the country at club level, but not at league level. FNB Chief Marketing Officer Tracy Eagles wrote to NBC Sport in response to questions posted to her by the National Broadcaster. Namibia Premier League chairperson Johnny Doeseb recently attacked FNB in a Special Soccer Pitch edition, saying that the bank is among the companies that make a lot of money, but do not give back to the community. “We can co-brand FNB with our sponsor on the teams. That way we can give them Maximum Exposures.” Said Doeseb. Eagles reacted by saying they are not interested in sponsoring the league. FNB has chosen instead to develop football at club level, hence their involvement with two Namibia Premier League sides - namely Orlando Pirates and Black Africa. “The debate in the media is a media one only. It has always been FNB Namibia’s approach to help develop football at club level, not at league level, hence our current contracts with OP and BA.” Wrote Eagles Eagles went on to say that FNB already considers its ongoing contribution to sport in the country as substantial. She explained that FNB allocates about four million Namibia Dollar per annum and more than N$25 million over the past five years to different sport codes. According to Eagles, this does not only include the sponsorship of soccer, cricket and rugby premier league clubs. FNB has also sponsored some of Namibia’s most sought-after sporting events, such as the FNB Classic Clashes and Currie Cup Rugby, as well as the Otjihavera Mountain Biking annual event. In conclusion, Eagles reiterated that there are no new football budget proposals currently under discussion.