The deal, which runs from 2005 to 2008 inclusive, covering four editions of Asia’s premier club tournament, gives ING Life exclusivity in the Financial Institution, Bank and Insurance sector of the sponsorship package.
The deal, brokered by World Sport Football, the exclusive sponsorship and broadcasting partner of the AFC, marks ING life’s first formal involvement with football in Asia.
The company is already involved in sport – and soccer – in other parts of the world, including the sponsorship of the Dutch national football team.
Explaining ING Life’s new association with Asian club football, Ron van Oijen, CEO of ING Life Insurance - Korea, said: “With ING life’s participation in the AFC Champions League as a main sponsor, I expect that the league will add to the momentum in the development of Korean soccer, which has rapidly grown up to the top class worldwide. Furthermore I am certain that the league will play a pivotal role in uniting Asia into one by means of soccer.
“The AFC Champions League sponsorship is ING Life’s first initiative under our sports marketing strategy and I believe this is meaningful as the first sports marketing event in the life insurance industry.”
World Sport Football CEO Nick Mould said: “We are in discussion about working together to increase the fan awareness and support for what is Asia’s top club competition, particularly in Korea. We are confident that ING’s long and historic sponsorship experience with football globally will be an added benefit for our sport in Asia.”
The AFC Champions League 2005 kicks off on March 9 and features 29 league and Cup winners from 14 Asian countries.
