THE partnership between the Wanderers Stadium, commonly known as the Bull Ring, and international services, trading and distribution company, Bidvest, has been renewed for a further five years. The multi-million rand naming rights sponsorship, which was first contracted in 2009, will ensure that this iconic Johannesburg landmark retains its reputation as the country’s premier cricket venue and the stadium that hosted the best One-Day International match ever played.
“For the GCB, this sponsorship has been so much more than simply adding a prestigious brand association to the home of South African cricket. It has also been a guideline to what we as an organisation want to achieve, and the policies and ethics that we would like to adopt. Bidvest’s reputation speaks for itself and it can only benefit us to have them on board,” commented Greg Fredericks, Chief Executive Officer of the Gauteng Cricket Board.
Commenting on the rationale behind the decision to extend the sponsorship, Bidvest chief executive Brian Joffe emphasised the importance of sport to the people of South Africa.
“We regard sponsorships as effective vehicles to elevate the quality of sport in our country. The Wanderers Stadium is a rallying point for South African cricket, and we’re pleased to help ensure that it remains so. We’re a proudly South African company and proud to be associated with one of our country’s iconic sporting venues.”
Bidvest already has strong cricketing connections through one of its group companies, Konica Minolta South Africa, which sponsors the bizhub Highveld Lions. This sponsorship is celebrating its tenth year in the 2014/15 cricket season.
Bidvest Wanderers Stadium has seen many memorable cricket matches during the past five years, including the Champions Trophy, the Champions League T20 and the Indian Premier League, as well as sensational meetings between the Proteas and the national teams of Australia, Sri Lanka and India. Last season, fans at the stadium witnessed the Proteas’ incredible attempt to chase down a world record fourth innings winning Test match total, ending in one of the most exciting draws in the history of the five-day game.
