The
sponsorship will see Energade become the official sports drink of all national
teams under SAFA, quenching the thirst of Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana,
who each enter the race for continental glory over the next few months.
Professional
sport makes great demands on the human body and revitalising fluids is one of
the keys to sustaining top performance. Energade is a leader in the science of
rehydration and has a proven record in helping sportsmen and women to achieve
their goals.
Energade
was launched in 1993 as the first sports drink in South Africa, just a year
after Bafana Bafana played their first match after readmission into
international football. Through the sponsorships of SA Rugby, the Comrades
Marathon, Absa Cape Epic, and other key sporting properties, Energade quickly
became a household name associated with high performing sportsmen and women.
Energade
has managed to build an ever-improving and engaging product range for not only
elite sportsmen, but also South African fans and everyday sports lovers.
Energade
provides vital carbohydrates for energy, and replenishes lost electrolytes, as
well as hydrates the body during sport. It is the sports drink of choice for
any sports person preparing for or recovering from regular exercise or planned
fitness events.
“Tiger
Brands understands an important connector between food, beverages and well-being
as being physical activity and in this context – sport. We also appreciate the
role of sport in this and as a contributor to nation building. We have thus
been heavily involved in South African sport for a number of years now with
Comrades Marathon and Springbok Rugby, but believe that we have a lot to offer
football as well. We take enormous pleasure in helping our national teams to
perform to the best of their abilities and give them the fuel they need to be
the best in the world,” says Peter Matlare, CEO of Tiger Brands.
“We
know that this is a crucial time coming up for Bafana Bafana, especially with
the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on the
horizon. We want to be a part of the national team’s success and are thrilled
to have reached this partnership with SAFA for the next three years.”
SAFA
President Kirsten Nematandani has echoed those sentiments and believes that
brands such as Bafana Bafana and Energade are an excellent fit together.
“We
are delighted to have Energade on board as one of our partners and know that
this fantastic product will help our athletes maintain peak performance. In
professional sport you need to endeavour and gain every advantage possible and
we know that this sponsorship by Energade will give our teams that extra boost
they need,” Nematandani says.
“We
would like to express our gratitude to Energade for the professional manner in
which they entered into negotiations with us and believe that this is just the
beginning of a long association between our respective winning brands.”
Energade
is joining a number of other sponsors who are rallying behind SAFA in
developing the beautiful game in South Africa.
