4 September 2019
By Kevin Estrada
PASIG — The Philippine Football Federation has forged a deal with K8 Group Monday afternoon to become the sponsor of the Azkals ahead of their second round of the joint qualifiers for the World Cup and the Asian Cup.
PFF president Mariano Araneta, secretary general Atty. Edwin Gastanes, and K8 brand manager Vesper Tian were at the signing ceremonies at the House of Football, wherein the deal will begin on Thursday in Bacolod against Syria and is up until the final match in June next year.
Headquartered in Manila, the gaming firm has been into the football scene, in which they count German club Schalke, and defending Premier League cham””pions Manchester City as its sponsors, in which it was prominent as the kit sponsor of West Brom who are now in the Championship.
The Azkals are the first national team to become its partners, as the terms of the deal are undisclosed as their advertising will be shown first in Panaad.
“It’s our first time. We’ll wish that everything that is going well,” Tian said.
Araneta was also receptive that there was a Philippine-based firm that will help the team, as he hopes that others will follow suit.
“I hope this gives more us some funding for the national team that they badly need,” Araneta said.
Although the deal only covers the second round, the negotiations are already planned depending on the performance in the second round, as the deal might be extended should the Azkals qualify for the third round of the WCQ and book their return trip to the Asian Cup.
“They are willing to sponsor for the next round, if we qualify,” he added.
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