SC Villa will be hoping to better their third-place finish in the coming season after landing a mega sponsorship five-year deal from Chinese car-tyre manufacturer Ling Long.

It was all pomp at the Kamwokya City Oil service station gardens on Thursday morning, as the new sponsors represented by Ling Long Sales Director Kathy Kao announced the five-year $750,000 (sh2.7b) sponsorship deal. The deal runs from 2023 to 2028.

The annual sponsorship will have the 16-time Uganda Premier League record winners pocket sh542m per year, from the unveiled package and deal signed by the Chairman Board of Trustees Gerald Ssendawula, witnessed by SC Villa president Ahmed Omar Mandela.

Kao, who represented the Ling Long Tyre Company president Feng Wang said the deal resulted from their 15-year partnership with the Mandela Group.

SC Villa president Ahmed Omar Mandela (standing 4th left), Ling Long Sales Director Kathy Kao (center) and Chairman Board of Trustees Gerald Ssendawula (4th right) pose with the SC Villa players after the unveiling of the sponsorship deal. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“Our 15-year cooperation is not only about business but we are more of friends and family members. And our president, Wang has a very good relationship with Mr. Omar; and in the future, the two companies will work hand in hand to closely cooperate with each other for the Ugandan tyre market,” Kao, who attended with a delegation from the company said.

She said Ling Long and SC Villa were more of the same because both entities were formed in the same year; 1975.

“This all points to luck and we know that Villa is a strong team and our president loves sport very much, and we know that Villa has a lot of potential, and we know that both entities can bring good luck to each other and work towards further success in the future,” Kao stated.

Ssendawula welcomed the sponsors and termed the function an ‘important occasion for any organisation’ which will prepare the team well ahead of the new season.

“We celebrate the act of sportsmanship and acknowledge the invaluable support we have received from our esteemed partners Ling Long. Their commitment to the club will play a vital role in our success and growth over the coming years,” Ssendawula said.

“For sure this is going to create a big difference and open up doors for more. These are fantastic partners at the moment. Ling Long has demonstrated a deep understanding of the person we have for football, and the positive impact it can have on our local community.

“With their support, we will be able to improve our youth development program, so that we have another younger team following and provide opportunities to aspiring athletes in our region. Their contribution will not only shape the future of our club but also empower the future generation of our stars,” Ssendawula, a former FUFA chairman stated.

He thanked Mandela for his business astuteness, and the club executive for working hard to get the club a sponsor.

“As trustees, we will work hard to create a sustainable SC Villa. Today we recognise the incredible role this sponsorship provides as we strive for excellence both on and off the field.

“The sponsorship has strengthened our position to make our young players who go on the field every other day to represent Villa, happy. We are now more motivated than ever to scale greater heights and mutual pride; your generous contribution has reignited our person,” Ssendawula stated.

He called on the fans to return and back the team even stronger than they did last year so that the team doesn’t miss out like they did last season.

SC Villa legend William Nkemba had earlier talked about the history of SC Villa which started in 1975 as Nakivubo Boys FC, and highlighted their dominance in the early 80s and 90s, which saw the team with three doubles and reached the finals of the Africa Club Championship and the CAF Cup in 1991 and 1992 respectively.

The function was also attended among others by the current squad and their coach, former SC Villa stars as well as trustees and some of their football fans.

Ling Long is a very reputable company that is among the top two tire-manufacturing companies in China and among the top ten in the world.