The 15 vehicles are part of a termed sponsorship agreement between MBSA and SAFA since 2005 when South Africa was bidding to host the 2006 FIFA Soccer World Cup. Although the SA bid was unsuccessful at the time, MBSA's parent company Daimler continued with their long-standing commitment of sponsoring the German national team and their football association which eventually enabled them to host the 2006 Soccer World Cup in Germany.
In fact, with Brazil already announced as the next country to host the 2014 FIFA Soccer World Cup, it is a hat trick for Daimler and MBSA because their sister company in Brazil is also supporting the Brazilian football association and national team.
“As automotive pioneers, we are proud to partner for the future with SAFA as they prepare to host two of the biggest spectacles in the world, the 2009 Confederations Cup and 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, both of which require us all to contribute in every way possible to make these events a great success. We are pleased to be SAFA's partner of choice,” said Lulu Letlape, executive director of group corporate affairs at MBSA.
“Another rationale for our association with SAFA is to demonstrate our patriotism and commitment to our country by sponsoring them with our magnificent vehicles, which will enable them to transport their VIP guests during the 2010 World Cup,” said Letlape.
MBSA has over the past 14 years provided support for those sports initiatives or organisations which have in principle focussed on bolstering South Africa's national pride and developing youth. Sponsorships have included among others, support to NOCSA, Disabled Sports South Africa (DISSA), Border Cricket along with its development programme, a youth gold development programme and former premier soccer league club Bush Bucks.
The 15 vehicles sponsored to SAFA comprise;
Speaking at the handover event held at SAFA House, SAFA CEO, Raymond Hack says the partnership between Mercedes Benz and the association continues to grow in the interest of football development; “The vehicles we have received from Mercedes Benz will assist SAFA to advance it's long term development strategy that is currently being rolled out, the busses will be fully utilised in transporting our regional and provincial teams to national playoffs and championships, other cars will be used by various departments at Head Office to assist in promoting various projects of SAFA , we are delighted to have the support of Mercedes as we prepare ourselves to host a successfull 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” Said Hack.Ends.
