PACE Sports and Entertainment Marketing Limited have sealed a new five –year deal with Stanbic IBTC to continue its role as one of the marquee sponsors ahead of the forthcoming 2019 edition of the Higher Institution Football League (HiFL).
Speaking on the historic partnership, Group Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Yinka Sanni, elaborated that the sponsorship is in tandem with the company’s determination to help grow and develop a vibrant and productive youth populace in Nigeria.
“So far, we have been impressed with the organisation of the league,” stated Sanni. “The inaugural edition in 2018 set a standard that we as an organisation are proud to be associated with.
“At Stanbic IBTC, one of our core objectives is to engage the youth through initiatives, which will contribute to talent-moulding and character-building; we have committed in long term to this project because we sincerely believe that its course is aligned with our strategic vision.”
In his remark, the Director, PACE Sports and Entertainment Marketing Limited, Sola Fijabi noted the partnership with IBTC Stanbic was shaped by shared values of authenticity and innovation, and a genuine belief in youth empowerment and development.
He explained: “These values will drive the partnership to change the game beyond the pitch, pioneering new ways to push forward the university communities, teams, and development while also bringing students together at both local and national levels.
“HiFL is getting bigger and better; we sincerely appreciate Stanbic IBTC for demonstrating commitment in this regard. They have laid a good example for other companies in terms of fuelling their passion and supporting the aspirations of the Nigerian youth.
“PACE and NUGA remain committed to partnerships that will ensure the sustainability of HiFL as one of the most Meanwhile, the 2019 edition of HiFL which is organised by PACE Sports and Entertainment Marketing Limited (PSEM) in partnership with the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA), is billed to start in June with 32 teams from NUGA-member institutions.
The teams will play over a period of 21 weeks in a return leg elimination format after the group stage to determine the finalists while the Super Four to determine the overall winner would hold at the Agege Township stadium, Lagos.
UAM Tillers from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi won the 2018 edition of the league after defeating the UNICAL Malabites from the University of Calabar via 5-4 penalties.