A proposed lucrative sponsorship deal between South Africa and a top English football club that sparked a two-day firestorm will not be backed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, his spokesman said Friday. Plans by South Africa's tourism agency to sponsor Tottenham Hotspur were unveiled this week -- at a time when record power cuts have wreaked havoc on Africa's most industrialised nation and citizens battle rising food and fuel costs. Plans for the sponsorship, said to be worth almost one-billion-rand ($58 million), were first reported by South African newspaper the Daily Maverick. The report this week caused uproar in the blackout-ridden country, with many arguing the money would be better spent elsewhere. Under the plan, SA Tourism branding would appear on the high-flying Premier League side's kit.

Source: Daily Nation February 04, 2023 04:22 UTC