Accord Sports lead race to sponsor Goa Professional League

The state's top tier league has been without a title sponsor for the last five seasons.

The Goa Football Association has stated that its President Churchill Alemao has managed to arrange a sponsor for the Goa Professional League 2020-21 season.

"The Sponsorship has been arranged by Mr. Churchill Alemao, President of Churchill Brothers Sports Club and Churchill Brothers Sports Club, CEO, Ms. Valanka Alemao, with the help of Kolkata’s Ms. Deepa Dasmunshi, wife of former AIFF President late Mr. P. Dasmunshi," a GFA release stated.

As per the proposed deal, Accord Sports Inc will pay ₹25 lacs in 2020-21, ₹30 lacs in 2021-22 and ₹40 lacs in 2021-22. with exclusive rights to GPL TV, satellite, cable, digital coverage, indoor and outdoor stadium advertising, billboards, merchandising, fanzones, screening, branding and so on.

The Kolkata-based firm will give ₹5 lacs to GFA at the time of signing the agreement, while another installment of ₹5 lacs will be paid before the commencement of the league. An additional ₹5 lacs will be paid after the completion of three months of the league and the balance amount of ₹10 lacs will be paid after the conclusion of the 2020-21 season.

Moreover, Accord Sports Inc has demanded that the GFA hold a press conference with them to announce the deal. They have also mentioned in the proposal that it will be mandatory for the association to conduct 132 match of the GPL. As a result, GFA will have to conduct games on a home and away basis, with at least 12 teams.

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They have also demanded for office space in the stadium premises during the entire GPL season. The state association will also be in-charge of doing wide publicity all over Goa, covering all mediums of advertising and promotion for the entire duration of the campaign.

As per the deal, Accord Sports Inc will also be a part of all the other tournaments/leagues organized by the GFA. They have also asked that all other queries made for additional sponsorship and advertising/branding should be routed through them.

However, the benefits to the league and the association are almost similar to what FC Goa had proposed in their deal, as they will produce a broadcast with three different high-definition cameras with highlights, graphics and replays of 85 matches out of the total of 132. They have also promised to produce strong social media presence and marketing.

As mentioned in their proposal, Accord is one of the premier out-of-home advertising companies in India. Apple, Airtel, ITC Limited and KFC are a few of the top brands with whom the Kolkata-based firm has worked in the past.

When contacted by Khel Now GFA General Secretary Jovito Lopes, stated, "At present we have two proposals. But, FC Goa's proposal says that they will have three teams from outside for which we will have to vary our rules and regulations, as this is Goa Professional League.

"Looking at this scenario, I think Accord Sports will be taken on board, but finally Executive Committee has to decide. Accord are ready to be part of full GFA organized tournaments but then it would be on our decision to prioritize what we need," he explained.