Bank Mandiri extends sponsorship of PSSI

Bank Mandiri extends sponsorship of PSSI

JAKARTA (JP): After attaining success as the title sponsor for
this year's soccer league, state-owned Bank Mandiri has given its
nod to extend its sponsorship of the 2001 league of the Soccer
Association of Indonesia (PSSI).

PSSI official in charge of marketing and promotion Dimas Wahab
announced the extension on Tuesday but declined to disclose the
value of the contract until Bank Mandiri president E.C.W. Neloe
and PSSI chairman Agum Gumelar sign it.

However, Dimas said the total would be higher than last
season's deal. In March, PSSI received some Rp 7.3 billion
(US$772,500) for the sixth league.

"Bank Mandiri heard from its monitoring team that by being the
soccer league's sponsor had enhanced its image nationwide.
Therefore, the bank agreed to extend its deal with us," he said.

Dimas said the league would retain its name as Liga Bank
Mandiri (Bank Mandiri soccer league). Under the deal, PSSI has
promised that the league's matches will be broadcast live on
state-owned TVRI and privately run RCTI and ANTeve television
channels.

The bank's logo will also be emblazoned on the players'
uniforms and displayed on advertisement boards.

Dimas said PSSI would allow soccer clubs to find their own co-
sponsors. He also urged clubs not to be too dependent on PSSI as
a financial source.

"In my opinion, soccer clubs should not ask for money to
finance their needs for next year's league. They should know that
the whole competition is aired live on three TV stations so they
must be able to use the opportunity to find sponsors."

In the previous deal, PSSI disbursed some Rp 2.6 billion to 28
soccer clubs competing in the league. Another Rp 985 million was
used to advertise the league in TV commercials, newspapers,
banners and stickers.

Organizers IMG received Rp 657 million to organize and manage
the commercials and PSSI earned about Rp 1.6 billion. (ivy)