Airtel scores goal with Manchester United partnership

By Cheranka Mendis

Airtel Sri Lanka yesterday announced its latest partnership with world leading football club Manchester United to provide ‘money can’t buy’ experiences and exclusive mobile content to its loyal customer base.

From left FIFA Executive Member Manilal Fernando, Global Ambassador and longest serving captain for Manchester United Bryan Robson, Director – Global Brand Bharti Airtel Bharat Bambawale, Relatioships Director Manchester United Ricky Manchester United player Thussu and Dwight Yorke  - Pic by Daminda Harsha Perera

In Sri Lanka with two of their key players, the English sporting icon and the longest serving captain Bryan Robson and the ‘smiling assassin’ from Trinidad and Tobago Dwight Yorke, the officials have taken the opportunity to display the Premier League Trophy which Manchester United clinched for the record 19th time in May last year. The trophy will be displayed at Majestic City, Excel World and Kalutara Football Stadium in the next few days.

In line with Airtel’s aggressive growth plans towards strengthening operations in Sri Lanka, the partnership is yet another goal in the Airtel’s brand scorecard in the country.

Airtel’s Global Brand Director Bharat Bambawale yesterday announced that the through the tie up, Airtel will offer a chance for Sri Lankan football fans to get closer to the action pact world of football and give them access to a range of exciting benefits.

Through the purchase of a limited edition value pack, customers will be able to get their hands on “exclusive Manchester United football content on Airtel mobile phones including Manchester United welcome tunes, theme songs and a SMS alert service which will give minute by minute account of all games played by Manchester United,” Bambawale said.

A few lucky fans ill also enjoy a money can’t buy experiences’ by watching football matches at old Trafford which is the home of Manchester United courtesy of Airtel.

“Over the next few days we will kick start activities around the country and showcase the prestigious English Premier League trophy for football fans at Majestic City, Excel World and Kalutara Football Stadium. Fans could meet their legends and enjoy the various fun events lined up for them.”

Manchester United Relationship Director Ricki Thussu expressed that the while looking forward to welcome Sri Lankans at the Old Trafford, the partnership is bound to be a success.

“We are glad to have this partnership as we had many successful campaigns with them in India and Africa. We have done huge development programs, contests and promotions where fans are able to connect with their favourite stars, download exclusive content and fly to Old Trafford, watch the games, fly to Manchester and travel with the team, etc. It is a unique opportunity for footballers Sri Lanka to dial in and connect with Manchester United.”

‘Captain Marvel’ Bryan Robson also present at the event said: “It is a pleasure to come across to this side of the world. At Manchester United we pride ourselves in partnerships like this. One thing we have found in this part of the world is the passion for football and the love and friendship. What fans in Sri Lanka will get now is that they can get really close to players and hopefully that will build our relationship with Sri Lanka.”

Federation of Football in Sri Lanka Executive Committee member Manilal Fernando who expressed his delight in the partnership noted that this could harbour better training for the local football players.

“We are trying to create four centres of excellence of youth training in Sri Lanka and we hope Airtel and Manchester United will give the expertise to try and help set up these centres of excellence in the correct manner,” Fernando said. “This will help our youngsters play better football and give them a chance to be guided properly.”

He noted that the Federation will try to get an understudy of one of local coaches in Manchester United to see how the training is done correctly. “Such partnerships will benefit the world of football in Asia greatly.”