Sterling Bank Plc. has renewed its kit sponsorship deal with Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin for the new Nigerian Premier Football League season.
This kit sponsorship renewal was formalised at the 2022/23 jersey unveiling ceremony held recently at the Edo State Government house in Benin, Edo State.
The club signed the largest kit sponsorship partnership in Nigerian club football history with the inking of a record making deal worth N50 million with Sterling Bank for the 2021/2022 Nigerian National League (NNL) season.
Since the signing of the deal, the โBenin Arsenalโ have gained promotion to the Nigerian Premier Football League โ the topflight of Nigerian club football.
The newly signed deal will see the bank raise the value of the contract with club to N75 million as the club vies for honours in the top flight this season.
The footballing relationship has also rubbed off favourably on the bank, as they were crowned champions of the 2022 edition of the Nigerian Bankersโ Games.
The bankโs Executive Director, Mr Tunde Adeola, made the pledge stating, โSterling is very grateful and honoured to be a part of the return to footballing glory of Bendel Insurance.โ
Adeola said, โwe will continue to support and sponsor Bendel Insurance because we did so last year, are doing so this season and look forward to continuing this partnership.โ
The Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, who doubles as the chairman of Bendel Insurance and Edo Queen football clubs, while thanking the bank for its support, said after the governor directed the board to reduce its spending on the club, the board approached several private establishments for sponsorship.Shaibu stated: โThey brought N50 million last year. But they said we are bringing in our corporate name, which we cherish so much, and I also reminded them that as they cherish their name, we also cherish the Bendel Insuranceโs name. I told them that two important names are coming together. The implication is that they will do well. They said if we do well, they will increase it, and they gave an option of first refusal. Today, we have been promoted and they have increased it.โ (Guardian)