Iceberg sponsors MYA

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Iceberg, a product of the Himalayan Brewery Ltd, has sponsored the newly-promoted Bhaktapur-based ‘A’ Division football club Madhyapur Youth Association (MYA) here today.

The MYA will receive an annual Rs 1.36 million in cash and kind from Iceberg in their ‘A’ Division League debut scheduled for November-December. The recently-crowned ‘B’ Division National League champions MYA were promoted to the top-flight football after finishing runners-up to Sankata Club in Martyrs Memorial Red Bull ‘B’ Division League last year.

Former Nepal skipper-goalkeeper and MYA President Upendra Man Singh and General Manager-Sales and Marketing of Himalayan Brewery Ltd Kishor Bhattarai signed the memorandum of understanding here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Bhattarai said that the tie-up was initially for one year. “But we are committed to review our contract on an annual basis considering the success of the club,” said Bhattarai. As MYA would be making their ‘A’ Division League debut, Bhattarai said his company wants the club to ensure they stay in the ‘A’ Division League.

MYA President Singh also said that his club’s first priority was to ensure the stay in the top-flight football and only thereafter look after Top Eight finish. “We have a good advantage to strengthen our team because as it’s still a long way before the start of the league,” said Singh adding that his side’s participation in the ongoing British Gurkha Cup would be a good test of his players.

All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) President Ganesh Thapa said the growth of Nepali football is possible only because of similar support from corporate houses. Thapa said that ANFA is working to make sure that the league champions make profit from the huge investment they make in football. “We have long been hearing complaints of clubs losses, so we are working to ensure they not only get back those investment but also get profit,” added ANFA President without elaborating on their plans for the new season.