Revealing the format of the upcoming Ligue 1 national championship, the Congolese Federation of Association Football (FECOFA) recently launched a notice of expression of interest for a possible sponsorship collaboration. This opportunity will take the form of a naming contract, offering the sponsor visibility and direct association of its brand with the competition, which would be renamed LINAFOOT Ligue 1. In exchange, the sponsor will have to provide substantial financial support, representing at least 30% of the total championship budget.
The aim of this FECOFA initiative is to rationalize costs while guaranteeing the quality and autonomous financing of the championship. By seeking to exploit the existing potential in terms of exclusive television broadcasting rights and sponsorship, FECOFA hopes to ensure a financially viable management of the competition.
The budget for the Ligue 1 championship for the 2023-2024 season is $8 million. It mainly includes travel expenses for teams, rewards for teams and players, as well as expenses related to the missions of officials. In previous editions, the competition benefited from a sponsorship of 500,000 dollars from a telecommunications company. However, some editions were discontinued due to financial difficulties. Even the state, which had covered the transport costs of the teams in response to the COVID-19 crisis, was forced to interrupt the previous season for lack of means.
This new call for expressions of interest therefore aims to find a solid partner, capable of providing the financial support necessary to ensure the smooth running of the Ligue 1 championship. By offering visibility and direct association of their brand with a competition popular, the potential sponsor will have the opportunity to strengthen its notoriety and its presence on the Congolese football market.
FECOFA thus hopes to find a renowned sponsor and establish a lasting partnership that will contribute to the development and sustainability of the national Ligue 1 championship in the Democratic Republic of Congo.