The football marriage between Absa and the Premier Soccer League (PSL) will come to an end when the sponsorship contract of the Absa Premiership expires at the end of the current season.
This was announced by both parties at a joint media press conference at the headquarters of the PSL in Parktown, Johannesburg. Absa has had a 16-year relationship with professional football in South Africa, 13 of which have been as a sponsor of the PSL since 2007.
“We have enjoyed a long, fruitful relationship with the PSL and have supported the league’s work in South African football and sports development.
“While we will no longer be the anchor sponsor for the PSL, soccer will always remain close to our hearts. We are therefore exploring alternative options to continue our relationship with the PSL,” said Daniel Mminele, chief executive of the Absa Group.
Mminele thanked the PSL and the football-loving community for what he described as an ‘excellent partnership and support’ over the years which enabled the banking giant to be part of the league’s greatest successes and turned the league into millionaire status in the past season.
“The Absa Premiership era will forever be a reference point for football glory, both in terms of club development and player performance in our sport’s history. The PSL is grateful to Absa for strengthening the league to true professionalism,” said PSL chairperson, Dr Irvin ‘Iron Duke’ Khoza.
The Absa Premiership is said to have captured the imagination of football-loving people in South Africa and across the African continent. Fans of the game accumulated memorabilia such as photos, soccer jerseys, digital images and videos, spawning a thriving merchandise industry for small businesses as well.
“Memory is a prized component for football followers around the world. The period of 2007 to 2020 will forever be etched in the memories of football fans as a high point in PSL history,” concluded Khoza.
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