Dubai: MasterCard Worldwide and Saudi Professional League Commission Tuesday announced a three-year sponsorship deal of the Zain Saudi League starting with the 2010-11 season.
MasterCard is the official card of the Zain Saudi League with exclusivity rights in the financial services sponsorship category.
"This is a strategic collaboration with MasterCard, which is renowned for its international football commitment and long standing association with some of the world's most famous football events. We are very pleased to have the Zain Saudi League among such a prestigious list as we believe the League will reap significant benefits as a result of this long term collaboration with MasterCard. This sponsorship agreement demonstrates the attractiveness of the Saudi league to a leading multinational company like MasterCard and also contributes to the development of football practice in the Kingdom," said Mohammad Al Newaser, CEO, Saudi Professional League Commission.
Introducing their premier collaboration in an Arab Asian league, the sponsorship of the Zain league leverages MasterCard's long-standing commitment to the football community across the globe.
Through a number of value-added initiatives, the MasterCard sponsorship of the Zain Saudi League will strengthen the participating clubs' competitiveness, encourage grassroots football development, and enhance the overall football experience for the League's committed fans.
"This agreement is yet another milestone towards the further development of Saudi Arabia's football clubs into a truly global competitive league, which is a strategic goal of Sela," said Ahmad Mohtaseb, CEO, Sela Sport Co, the commercial operator of the Zain Saudi League.
"Being the official payment card for the League is yet another milestone in our long-standing commitment and presence in Saudi Arabia," said Raghu Malhotra, general manager Middle East (Gulf Countries), MasterCard Worldwide.
