New & Revamped VIVA Football League Launched

Bahrain Football Association and VIVA Bahrain announced their new strategic partnership and the launch of the revamped national league under the name “VIVA Football League” in a press conference held at the Bahrain National Stadium. The VIVA Football League was launched by H.E. Sh. Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Football Association alongside Ulaiyan Al Wetaid, VIVA Bahrain CEO.

 

VIVA Bahrain was designated the official sponsor of the football league for the next four seasons starting from the 2011/2012 until 2014/2015 seasons. The sponsorship of the football league is part of VIVA’s continuous efforts to support sports in Bahrain due to football’s popularity and the fact that the national football league is one of the key sporting events in the kingdom attracting local and regional attention as well as offering highly intense competition between the clubs. 

 

H.E. Sh. Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Football Association emphasized that VIVA’s sponsorship of the league is a great step by the company and appreciated its involvement in the sport targeting youth of the country. He believes that working hand in hand with the private sector will help improve the sporting sector and have a positive impact on it. “Sponsorships from the private sector for local leagues brings in more income for clubs, as well as it extends the budget to be actively involved in more sporting events,” he commented.

 

Sh. Salman Bin Ebrahim described the sponsorship as a positive step to confirm involvement of youth in the field of sports, an important part of the Bahraini community. The involvement of the private sector in sports has helped enormously in recent times and we hope everyone continues to collaborate and contribute towards the improvement of sports in Bahrain with special focus on football. “We look forward to our association with VIVA in this exciting football league and hope to achieve the goals we have set out,” he further added.

 

The President of the Bahrain Football Association also went on to highlight the role of the media to support the National football league as it is the biggest local football tournament in Bahrain. “We need to improve this league and elevate it on all levels as it is the backbone of Bahraini football simultaneously improving the performance of the local clubs which will reflect positively on our national team.”

 

Furthermore, Ulaiyan Al Wetaid VIVA CEO commented: “VIVA’s strategy is to always work for the benefit of the local community and to support it, and taking forward this commitment we have partnered with Bahrain Football Association and offered our exclusive sponsorship of the National football League. We understand the importance of the league for Bahrain both locally and internationally and the Bahrain Football Association’s primary role in improving Bahraini football as  it is a global sport and attracts the attention of people from all age groups and various cultural backgrounds.”

 

“The announcement of our partnership with Bahrain Football Association and the launch of the VIVA Football League is a great tribute to our efforts and one of our most important initiatives till date. Through this sponsorship, we endeavor to share the Association’s vision in elevating the sport in the Kingdom and work hand in hand for a brighter future of football in Bahrain.”

 

The new VIVA football league will kick off on Thursday 1st of December 2011 with two opening matches of the first round at Bahrain National Stadium, the first between Manama Club and Al Hidd Club, then Ahli Club will play Al Hala club. The first round will also host one of the league’s most important matches on Friday between Muharraq Club and Al Riffa Club in a local classic. The first part of the season is set to end on 3rd of February 2011 according to the Bahrain Football Association’s schedule.

 

The Bahrain Football Association offered VIVA Bahrain the exclusive opportunity to be the sole official sponsor of the league after its continuous involvement in supporting the youth and sponsoring local and international events.  As part of their initiatives, VIVA recently welcomed the two Manchester United Legends Andrew Cole and Denis Irwin in Bahrain as their special guests, offered the Mobile TV service for Live English Premier League football and the Manchester United SMS service alongside with the “Win a Trip” campaign giving its customers the chance of a lifetime to attend Manchester United matches at Old Trafford.