One of the most controversial sponsorships in English football in recent years has been ‘Visit Rwanda’ logo on the Arsenal’s shirt. The deal was signed in 2018 and renewed in 2021 for around 10 million pounds a year and caused a lot of commotion, not only in England and not only among Gunners fans, but among the Rwanda opposition back in Africa. Basically, by wearing his sponsorship on their sleeves, Arsenal are sponsoring the country which is known for violating human rights, and the voices calling for dismissal of this sponsorship are louder and louder.#BackPage this week: Botswana chases Newcastle deal pic.twitter.com/XQqKzQElK3— Mmegi (@MmegiOnline) May 25, 2022 But, when the Gunners were faced with criticism among their own supporters for sportwashing, their spokesman said:“Since our partnership began in 2018, we have worked together to challenge perceptions and tell Rwanda’s story of culture, heritage and transition, as well as raising awareness of the country as a luxury holiday destination. One year after the partnership began, Rwanda’s tourism revenue increased by 17% and tourists from Europe increased by 22%”.Faraj set to leave Tusker, KCB and Bandari interested in his servicesAnd these numbers were looked upon in another African county, but this one has a rising economy, unlike Rwanda – Botswana. According to Mmegi Sport, a delegation from Botswana led by the Minister of Trade and Industry Mmusi Kgafela and the Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture Tumiso Rakgare was recently in England, where they met directors of Newcastle to discuss possible areas of cooperation. The Botswana delegation has seen the potential in the richest club in the world, who needs money from the revenue and also plays in the strongest European league.More Rwanda controversy for the GunnersIf we look the numbers, Manchester United has a main sponsor TeamViewer, who signed a four year deal worth 45 million pounds per year with Red Devils. Newcastle United receives 6.5 million pounds per year from Fun88, an online casino brand. Manchester United have a deal worth 10 million pounds per year with Kohler on their sleeves, which is 3.5 million per year higher than the main sponsor of Newcastle. The Magpies must get some new sponsorships fast, and Botswana is potentially their next client. (2.45) SCOTLAND (3.10) UKRAINE (3.45)This week, Rakgare confirmed that government is exploring partnering with Newcastle in a bid to promote tourism in the country and other sports-related areas.“We have interest in partnering with Newcastle. There are so many benefits that might come up with this partnership if it can see the light of day. It can benefit us from tourism to grassroots development among others. We will announce the outcome in due course. Make no mistake we really want this so bad” Rakgare told Mmegi Sport this week. The Newcastle deal is likely to kick off at the beginning of the next English Premier League season, according to sources.
