FIFA ropes in Bank of Baroda as first ‘National Supporter’ for the FIFA U-17 World Cup

MUMBAI: With over 10 months to go for the launch of first ever FIFA event in India, the Bank of Baroda has become the first Indian company to sign up as a national supporter for the under 17 world cup, scheduled to kick start in October 2017.

FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 will see participation from 24 countries and matches will be played at six different venues. While FIFA already has international sponsors for all events, including Coca-Cola, Adidas, and Wanda, BOB is the first Indian supporter for the property.

Javier Ceppi, tournament director, said, “This is a landmark event in Indian sport. This is a unique opportunity to be partners in making football history in this country. Joining in at this early stage, Bank of Baroda will have the added advantage of ten months of exposure with the FIFA U-17 World Cup. We want to make it a sustainable movement for growth of the sport. It is about changing the mindset.”

Joy Bhattacharjya, Project Director, LOC, FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017, added, “This will be FIFA’s single largest investment in India, for development for the game. The way FIFA works, it makes the central government, state governments and the association to commit for the promotion of sports. In total, Rs 400 crore will be spent easily for football over the next year.”

On BOB’s association, Rakesh Kumar Bhatia, General Manager - marketing, corporate communications & WMS said that increasing awareness and participation in sports has become a key focus for the state-owned bank.

“We are highly motivated to promote football across the country and to inspire a new generation of youngsters. Partnering with the FIFA U-17 World Cup India, 2017 was a logical choice for us, as there is no bigger sporting event that the country will see next year,” Bhatia added.

FIFA will be signing 5 more national supporters ahead of the tournament slated to be held from October 6 – 28.