KATHMANDU, JANUARY 6

The Bhat Bhateni Holding Company and women's national team midfielder Preeti Rai today sealed the one-year sponsorship deal.

Bhat Bhateni Holding Managing Director Pawan Saraf and Rai exchanged the memorandum of understanding amidst a ceremony and Bhat Bhateni Super Market Director Kalyan Gurung handed over Umbro Sportswear kits to the footballer.

BB Holdings and Rai had agreed the deal in September last year during the SAFF Women's Championship and the one-year contract was formally signed today. As per the agreement, Rai will be the brand ambassador of Umbro, while Bhat Bhateni Holding Company - the authorised distributors of the international sportswear - will provide the footballer with Rs 600,000 in cash and kind.

'The agreement is for the period of one year from September last year and it's 50 per cent cash and 50 per cent kind,' said Alok Jung Joshi, Head of Business Development at BB Holdings.

'We saw her controlling the midfield singlehandedly during the SAFF Women's Championship semi-final match against India and we thought Rai was the future of Nepali football,' he added.

'Umbro is a renowned sportswear worldwide and we are really proud to sponsor talented youth player Preeti Rai.'

The 19-year-old footballer from Solukhumbu district thanked Bhat Bhateni and Umbro for supporting her. 'I have gone through so many difficulties in my career and I also faced criticisms for playing football in early days,' said Rai. 'My family supported me and I was able to make it to the national team with the help of my coach Raju Singh. I know Bhat Bhateni and Umbro have expectations from me and I will try my best to give my 100 per cent in the field,' she said. 'I hope to get support for a long time so that I can concentrate on my game.'

Coach Singh said Rai came with her brother and inquired about the chances of her joining the camp.

'We conducted Nepal Youth Programme in Kapan and she wanted to train with us. We welcomed her to the training camp and rest is history,' he added.

Meanwhile, Bhat Bhateni and Umbro announced a Road To West Ham campaign for the costumers.

'At the end of the campaign, we will have a lucky draw and two of our customers will receive all-paid trip to London to watch the English Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United on May 6.

A version of this article appears in the print on January 7, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.