MTN pulls out of Peace Cup sponsorship deal

Local telecommunication giants MTN-Rwanda have pulled out of a deal to sponsor the 2013 edition of the Peace Cup, which has reached the quarter finals, Times Sport has learnt.

Friday, May 03, 2013

Quarter-finals: Return legMay 7AS Kigali    vs    MusanzeBugesera    vs    Vision F.CMay 8APR       vs      IsongaMuhanga      vs      MukuraLocal telecommunication giants MTN-Rwanda have pulled out of a deal to sponsor the 2013 edition of the Peace Cup, which has reached the quarter finals, Times Sport has learnt.Rwanda’s Football governing body, Ferwafa, has been in talks with MTN-Rwanda to co-sponsor this year’s competition to a tune of Rwf30m. Imbuto Foundation, the main sponsors of knockout tournament, will now take over from MTN, who have funded it for the last four seasons.According to Richard Gahonzire, who is in charge of Marketing in Ferwafa, MTN and the national football governing body were in advanced talks for the former to come on board, but they pulled out at the last minute."We had agreed with them in principle that they would inject Rwf30m into this year’s competition, but they decided to pull out of the deal promising to come back next season,” confirmed Gahonzire.But Gahonzire noted that the Ferwafa has opened negotiations with other two companies, which he did not reveal because talks are still in infant stages."Doors are still open, anyone is welcome to help sponsor the tournament and we are ready to deal with anyone,” he noted.MTN-Rwanda has sponsored the Peace Cup with Rwf51.4m per year since 2009.