The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has signed a deal with Ricemaster, with the food brand sponsoring the Black Stars for100,000 Gh Cedis ($53,177) this season.

Ricemaster’s, the official food sponsors of the Black Stars, presented the cheque to the President of the GFA Kwesi Nyantakyi at a ceremony in Accra on Wednesday.

The money is the company’s sponsorship fee for the Black Stars for the 2012/13 season.

Nyantakyi says the money will boost the Black Stars as they prepare for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in January. “We are really grateful to Ricemaster’s for their support for the Black Stars over the years. This money comes at a time that we are preparing for the Cup of Nations,” Nyantakyi said.

Ahmed Halawi, a senior management member of Ricemaster, said they are delighted in making money ready for the national team as it prepares for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ghana were drawn in Group B of the Africa Cup of Nations where they will face DR Congo, Mali and Niger.

Head & Shoulders announced today that Argentinean soccer star Lionel (Leo) Messi, generic will appear in a series of ads designed specifically to reach U.S. Hispanic males.

Messi’s charisma, advice talent and confidence on the field where a natural fit for Head & Shoulders as the brand continues to connect with fans via their passion for sports and seeks to speak to the ever-growing Hispanic market.

The worldwide-sports star joins a distinguished roster of U.S. all-star athletes including Troy Polamalu from the Pittsburgh Steelers, erectile Joe Mauer from the Minnesota Twins, and most recently, the most decorated Olympian, Michael Phelps.

The three time FIFA world player has been a fan of the brand for years. “The fact that Leo is a fan of Head & Shoulders, and now our ambassador, gives us a tremendous opportunity to be able to create a personal connection with our Hispanic male consumers,” said Michael Saabia, Brand Manager. Throughout the campaign in the U.S., Messi will be promoting the line Refresh for Men through TV and online ads.

 

NBA rookie Anthony Davis has officially joined Red Bull’s ambassador roster who will now be kitted up Red Bull gear.

Premier tournament-fishing organization, FLW announced today that Igloo Products Corp., the nation’s largest cooler manufacturer, has extended their associate sponsorship of FLW for the 2013 season. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Texas-based manufacturer has been in business for more than 65 years and offers a selection of more than 600 different products, including insulated coolers and outdoor recreational products.

The Igloo brand will receive exposure across all of FLW’s platforms, including its tournaments and Expos, multiple websites, FLW Bass Fishing magazine and the “FLW” television show on NBC Sports Network. “FLW” is broadcast Sundays in high-definition (HD) to more than 559 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world.

 

Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines and most prestigious brands, has been unveiled today as an Official Partner of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Official Airline of the Queen’s Baton Relay. 

The partnership strengthens the international airline’s commitment to Glasgow and Scotland and will play a key role in profiling the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games on a global stage. 

Today’s announcement was made by First Minister of Scotland, the Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP, at Glasgow International Airport. He was joined by Lord Smith, Chair of the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee, Richard Jewsbury, Emirates Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Europe and Russian Federation, Laurie Berryman, Emirates Vice President UK as well as representatives of Games Partners – Michael Cavanagh, Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland and Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council. 

To mark the announcement of the exciting Partnership, the 777-300ER aircraft on today’s afternoon flight to and from Glasgow was adorned with the Glasgow 2014 Official Partner logo on both sides. 

Commenting on the Partnership, First Minister Alex Salmond said: “It is excellent to have such a prestigious sponsor as Emirates Airline on board to help us deliver a fantastic Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.  Emirates has a superb track record in supporting world-class sporting events and its involvement as a major sponsor underlines the global reach that the 2014 Games will have. 

“This announcement is significant, not just because of what it means for the success of the Games, but also as it demonstrates the excellent relationship Emirates continues to have with Scotland, after the airline announced an expansion in its Glasgow to Dubai service earlier this year. 

“Forming strong, enduring partnerships with blue-chip sponsors such as Emirates will be essential to ensuring that we are able to stage a hugely successful Commonwealth Games in Glasgow of which the entire country can be proud.” 

Lord Smith, Chair of the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee, said: “Together, Glasgow 2014 and Emirates create a compelling partnership which recognises the international ambition and scale of the Commonwealth Games taking place in Scotland in 2014.

“These Games create a world-class festival of elite sport and culture but also wider collaborations and further opportunities for Scotland on a global scale.” 

Richard Jewsbury, Emirates Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations Europe and Russian Federation, said: “For many years Emirates has been at the forefront of sports partnerships in the UK. Now, we are taking this engagement to a new level, as an Official Games Partner of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and Official Airline of the Queen’s Baton Relay. These partnerships are particularly significant for Emirates as we currently fly to 23 Commonwealth countries, enabling us to connect athletes and spectators from across the globe to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow through our hub in Dubai. 

“For the past eight years Emirates has been proud to play a key role in supporting Scotland’s international connections. Since 2004 our Glasgow service has carried almost two million passengers and over 46 million kilos of cargo to and from the Middle East and beyond. 

“This new multi-million pound partnership with Glasgow 2014 demonstrates our continued commitment to Scotland and highlights the nation’s place on the international sporting stage.” 

Emirates is already a significant supporter of high profile sport in the UK and internationally with a prestigious portfolio which includes the FIFA World Cup, the 2012 Ryder Cup, the International Cricket Council and Arsenal Football Club at Emirates Stadium, as well as the Emirates Airline Glasgow Rugby Sevens 

The partnership with Glasgow 2014 will see the airline play a key role in the Queen’s Baton Relay, the unique prelude to the Commonwealth Games during which a message of goodwill from Her Majesty The Queen is taken through the 71 Nations and Territories which will be sending athletes to compete in Glasgow. 

Emirates announced last month they had secured naming rights to Emirates Arena, Glasgow’s latest world-class sporting facility. Home to the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Emirates Arena will host Glasgow 2014’s Track-Cycling and Badminton events. 

The announcement was also welcomed by Glasgow 2014 Games Partners, Commonwealth Games Scotland and Glasgow City Council.

 

English Premier League club, Norwich City FC have extended their partnership with local broker Alan Boswell Group  for the fourth consecutive year.

As part of the sponsorship, the company’s branding will be used at matches and in the club’s corporate hospitality, entertaining clients and guests from across the country.

Alan Boswell, chairman of Alan Boswell Group, said: “We first sponsored the club in 2009 when they were in League One, so we’re immensely proud of their more recent success and to be partnering for two seasons with a Premier League team.

“The hospitality the club offers us through our sponsorship deal is enjoyed by our clients from across the UK. Many of our 200 staff are also avid supporters, so there’s always a real buzz in our Norwich offices following the matches.”

Norwich City chief executive David McNally added: “We’re very proud of the special relationship Norwich City has with Alan Boswell Group.

“As a commercial partner they have provided an excellent service in insuring the football club since 2009, with additional marketing and hospitality benefits to maximise the relationship.

“We hope they enjoy another successful business year, particularly with it being the company’s 30th anniversary.”

GAC, adiposity the world’s leading provider of integrated solutions to the logistics, doctor shipping and marine industry, order has renewed its sponsorship of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Houston Rockets.

The sponsorship renewal includes enhanced visibility of GAC’s Houston-based oil & gas logistics division throughout the Toyota Center. The GAC name and logo will be showcased on the eagerly awaited new video board, the largest ever to be constructed in a U.S. sports arena, as well as on the “L-bar” of the 300 newly-installed HD flat screen televisions throughout the arena.

GAC kicks off the season by introducing a new feature, the GAC Trivia Game, where selected fans and season ticket holders will be invited down to half court during games to compete for prizes by correctly answering GAC trivia questions. The questions will be displayed on screens throughout the arena, including the main 25? high by 58? wide video board.

GAC Executive Vice President, William Hill, said: “We are delighted to extend our support of the Houston Rockets. By connecting with Rockets’ fans in a very real way, we hope to further demonstrate our commitment to the energy sector that drives the city and the ways in which GAC can support that industry and the people who work in it.”

Internationally, GAC has a growing sports portfolio. The Group also sponsors and provides specialist logistics services for sporting teams and events including two premier football teams, a championship sailing team, golf and motor racing.

Brazilian soccer club, Coritiba have revealed a partnership with supplement brand, Nutrilatina in a two-year deal.

Nutrilatina will supply high performance supplements for all levels of the Brasileiro club.

The partnership was celebrated by the Center for Professional Excellence in Sport Coritiba (CEECOR), who see supplementing as an important ally in the training of athletes.

“It is a great achievement for the club, because we strengthen the use of supplements to all categories of Coritiba,” says the manager of CEECOR, Raul Osiecki.

The company specializes in sports nutrition and is an important ally for Coritiba, which will use advertising in exchange for providing supplies. “It’s an investment that helps us, as well as bring us the benefit.”

ROUND2 INC., unhealthy an Avnet Company and leading eRecycling service provider, stuff announced today that it is the official electronics recycling partner of the Dallas Mavericks.

The 2011 NBA Champions and ROUND2 will host several electronics recycling events throughout the 2012-2013 basketball season, culminating with a daylong event where everyone within the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex is invited to drop off their old or unwanted electronic equipment for recycling.

“The opportunity to work closely with the Dallas Mavericks organization and their Guard the Planet program is very exciting,” said Randy Weiss, ROUND2’s president. “We look forward to educating fans and providing a vital service to the community through our joint recycling event with the Mavericks.”

“The Mavericks are excited to partner with Round2 on its Guard the Planet initiative,” said Mavericks Executive Vice President, George Killebrew. “Our e-cycle drive is one of our most popular events and, with the help of our fans, we have helped divert nearly 300,000 pounds of electronic waste from landfills.”

The largest of the recycling events is slated for March 2013. Diverting tens of thousands of pounds of electronic waste from landfills will not only protect our environment but conserve natural resources as well. Participating individuals will also have the opportunity to win prizes from the Mavericks.