Bright Stars turn new page

Bright Stars chairman Ronnie Mutebi (left) unveiling the new club shirt with Yoshino Trading president Shunsuke Nakanishi. Seated on the right is the Japan Ambassador to Uganda H.E Kazuaki Kameda. The function took place at the Champions Stadium in Mwererwe yesterday. PHOTO BY JOHN BATANUDDE

Kampala- It promises to be a bright season for Bright Stars after new sponsors Yoshino Trading not only made their wallets happy but also eased their transport woes with a bus offer.

The Japanese company yesterday became the new sponsors of Soltilo Uganda Limited on behalf of Bright Stars for the upcoming 2018-2019 season.

The year-long deal is worth $40,000 (about Shs140m) in cash, with an official team bus that will be supplied by Yoshino Trading for the new season.

The ceremony to unveil the new sponsor took place at the Champions Stadium in Mwererwe. Bright Stars chairman Ronnie Mutebi and other directors, players, club officials, president of Yoshino Trading Nakanishi Shunsuke, general manager Yamaguchi Taiki and the Japan Ambassador to Uganda H.E Kazuaki Kemeda witnessed the momentous occasion as the two parties signed the binding documents.

“We are greatly pleased by this partnership. Since 2011, we have been the importing and dealers of vehicles from Japan in Uganda.

“We have offered $40,000 in a one year deal with a team bus which becomes a team’s permanent asset. Yoshino Trading is excited to partner with Bright Stars FC and Soltilo” Nakanishi noted.

Kemeda in his brief remarks thanked Yoshino Trading for sponsoring Bright Stars who have made a big contribution to the development of football in the Uganda.

Japan-Uganda relations
The Ambassador noted that this partnership will further help bridge the gap between Japan and Uganda.

“This partnership is an important one and will help in bridging the gap between Uganda and Japan. Since Japan will host the Olympics in 2020, this exchange will play a big role in the development of other sports disciplines. There is hope that this sponsorship will help Bright Stars in advancing their squad and work hard to win the championship,” Kemeda noted.

Mutebi was equally elated by the sponsorship revealing that this sponsorship will provide a better footing for the club financially, as well as in terms of brand and image building.

“We are happy about the sponsorship from Yoshino Trading. We commit ourselves to give the sponsor the due mileage as we also call upon the football people to promote such companies which impact for the better club football and develop the national team” Mutebi remarked.

Speaking on behalf of the players, John Kokas Opejo thanked the new sponsors on board and promised to deliver to the best of their expectations.

“We thank our new sponsors. We promise not to disappoint by doubling our efforts come the new season,” Opejo noted.