Moorosi Tsiane
Alliance Insurance yesterday unveiled a M2million sponsorship for Premiership giants Lioli.
The Teyateyaneng-based outfit also received a home and away playing kit, tracksuits, soccer boots and supporters’ replica shirts from their new technical sponsor, Umbro.
Speaking during the handover ceremony held in Maseru, Alliance Insurance Chief Finance Officer, Mohapinyane Taole, said the funding was for the club’s day-to-day expenses until 2016.
“As Alliance, we have been in a long, and good relationship with Lioli, which became official in 2009, but the monies that we are giving out now will be used in the 2015 and 16 seasons. As part of our corporate social responsibility, we have decided to lend a helping hand to this team and play a part in the development of football in this country, in the process,” Taole said.
According to Taole, the partnership with Lioli did not have a time limit but only “certain expectations” from both parties.
“This is an ongoing sponsorship that has no timeframe; it is not binding as any party can terminate it should they feel the need to because we both have some expectations from it.
“But as for now, we feel no need to cancel this good relationship we have with Lioli because it has been very fruitful to both parties. Lioli have been playing well and that is one of the things that keep us motivated to continue working with them. We also believe this money will help the team do even much better.
“For the past two years, we have injected over M2.4 million into this team. We are very proud of Lioli because they have shown very good financial management and transparency.”
On his part, Lioli president, Lebohang Thotanyana, expressed gratitude for the sponsorship and promised to guard the partnership jealously.
“I would like to express gratitude for this sponsorship from Alliance. We have been in good relations with the company for the past six years and we have never looked back since we started working with Alliance,” Thotanyana said.
“Over the past six years, we have won six major trophies, which I still believe are the results of the support we have been getting from Alliance.”
Thotanyane further said Lioli would continue to work hard and do their sponsors proud on the field of play.
“We will do our best as a team to see that we protect this good relationship we have with Alliance. The fact that we have many players in the senior national team is one of the examples that this team is growing with each passing year,” said Thotanyana.
“We have also signed a two-year sponsorship deal with Umbro, who will be our technical sponsors until the end of the 2015/16 Premier League season. For all this kit, we have paid about M350 000.”
The Lesotho Football Association (Lefa) secretary general, Mokhosi Mohapi, also thanked Alliance for the company’s continued support of domestic football.
“As Lefa, we would like to give our vote-of-thanks to Alliance for making a difference by investing in our football. I wish this will encourage other big companies in our country to sponsor local football,” Mohapi said.
