Also, the new kid for the team was also revealed at the packed Newtown, Jozi.
Chinese apparel company Erkel is the technical sponsor for Olympiads and beyond.
The excited but not so pleased Buddy Reddy, SASCOC chief executive said the talks with Erkel began as far as three years ago whilst on a work trip in Paris.
“The news that Erkel is the technical sponsor for our teams ruffled feathers within certain apparel companies in SA, who did not commit to come on board.
Having initiated talks with those companies and realizing they were not keen, we opted to engage with Erkel who heeded our call, and we’re grateful for that,” said Reddy who refused to divulge the names of those companies.
“I must say I’ am disappointed with the SA apparel companies for not backing their own team and, we have taken the stance not to engage further with them in future,” said the gatvol Reddy.
The deal with Erkel runs until 2016 but could go beyond, according to the apparel spokesperson.
Erkel spokesperson said, they opted to use this partnership to further entrench their brand awareness to the outside world, and South Africa was the best option.
“Yes, the brand might not be known in the sporting fraternity like others, but in other countries it is well marketed and represented.”
“SA is the gateway to Africa, and this marriage would also help in improving the companies profile and also, play a magnificent role in the development of BRIC-SA,” he said.
The deal is worth US4million which is equivalent to R28million.
