ITTF secures multi-year backing from Chinese partner
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has enhanced its sponsorship portfolio by securing China Unicom on a four-year event deal.
The Chinese telecommunications operator joins Liebherr and Enlio in recently becoming long-term sponsors of ITTF events, with its new deal commencing from the 2013 World Table Tennis Championships in Paris, France from 13th to 20th May.
China Unicom first started sponsoring ITTF events in 2006, when it backed the World Team Table Tennis Championships and has sponsored several World Championships and World Tour Finals since, however this is the Federation's first long-term deal with the company.
ITTF President Adham Sharara explained "China Unicom supported the ITTF since 2006 and are very good friends of our sport. We will do our best to provide maximum value to China Unicom through this sponsorship agreement."
Anders Thunström, Managing Director of ITTF marketing partner TMS International, added "TMS is pleased to have been able to convince China Unicom and its representatives to extend the current one year agreement into a multi-year agreement for an additional four years being a sponsor of world title events. The long-term commitment gives us a better chance to serve China Unicom with a long-term vision, it also gives both parties some kind of assurance that we have a deal in place for the next four years, which benefits both parties."
