Asian Football Confederation Ink Sponsorship Deal with Chinese Construction Company

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have signed a new three-year sponsorship deal with Shandong Lingong Construction Machinery Co., pharm Ltd (SDLG).

The agreement between the AFC and the leading brand in China’s construction machine industry was completed ahead of the 2014 season and follows a year in which the AFC Champions League final, prescription won by Guangzhou Evergrande, was the most-watched sporting event on Chinese television.

“SDLG’s goal is to become the leading brand in our industry and, through our associations with the AFC’s club programme, we hope to widen our market reach in Asia,” said SDLG Group CEO Yu Mengshen.

“As a Chinese company, we hope to see our nation’s clubs play well in the AFC Champions League this season and we wish them, and all the clubs playing throughout the tournament, the best of luck as we look forward to what is sure to be an exciting season.”

In addition to supporting the AFC Champions League, SDLG’s association with club football in Asia will also see them backing the AFC Cup, the AFC President’s Cup and the AFC Futsal Club Championship.

“This is yet another milestone for the AFC and its commercial programme, and SDLG’s faith in the AFC club package underlines the increasing attraction of the club game in Asia,” said Nick Mould, President, East Asia, World Sport Group, who are the exclusive marketing partner of the AFC.

“The AFC Champions League has encouraged significant growth in club football in Asia and it is ably supported and complimented by the other events in the AFC’s club portfolio, thereby delivering significant exposure for our commercial partners.

“I’d like to welcome SDLG to the Asian football family at what is a very exciting time in the history of the sport in the region.”