3:49PM, Mon Jun 25, 2012

New Sunderland Shirts To Carry Sponsor 'Invest In Africa' Branding

By Neal Walker Location: Sunderland

Sunderland AFC's new shirts for next season will carry the slogan 'Invest in Africa'.

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The pioneering not-for-profit initiative will become the club's principal partner and shirt sponsor from 2012-13 onwards.

SAFC announced an initial partnership with Invest in Africa in January 2012, helping promote Africa and challenging misconceptions about doing business on the continent.

The move will see the Invest in Africa brand exposed to the Premier League's worldwide audience of 4.7 billion people from the start of the forthcoming campaign.

Sunderland AFC chairman Ellis Short said: "We are very proud to have augmented our relationship with Invest in Africa through this wonderful agreement.

"It is a partnership which sets a new benchmark for the club commercially but what stands out is while doing so, it truly gives something back to both our own region and to a continent which has become a firm part of our club's success story over recent seasons.

"Extending our relationship will enable us to put the club's knowledge and experience - allied with its immense global reach as part of the Premier League - fully into practice. It fits perfectly with our own aims as we continue showcasing Sunderland AFC to a global audience which simply loves football."

VIDEO: John O'Shea and Wes Brown give their views on Sunderland's new sponsor

Sunderland AFC chief executive Margaret Byrne said: "Africa has a wonderful passion for the game, something which is mirrored here in our own North East region.

"Both places are renowned for examples of how football can engage people and organisations to the extent where it changes lives."

Chief Executive of Tullow Aidan Heavey added: "At Tullow Oil we've known for years that Africa is a thriving and great place to do business. But potential foreign investors are still missing out because of outdated perceptions of what it's like to work in Africa.

"Ultimately this will make Africa a more stable and attractive place to work, which is in everyone's interests."

The move further underlines the Black Cats' African affiliation, with Ghanaian trio Asamoah Gyan, John Mensah and Sulley Muntari, Egypt international Ahmed Elmohamady and last season's Player of the Year, Benin playmaker Stéphane Sessègnon, all wearing red and whites stripes since 2009.

Their presence has resulted in Sunderland becoming one of the most recognised Barclays Premier League clubs across Africa in recent seasons.

For more information on Invest In Africa click here.

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Barclays Premier League

Pos	Team	P	Pts
15	Aston Villa	38	41
16	Newcastle United	38	41
17	Sunderland	38	39
18	Wigan Athletic	38	36
19	Reading	38	28

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April

Barclays Premier League - Sun 7
FT	Chelsea	2-1	Sunderland
Barclays Premier League - Sun 14
FT	Newcastle	0-3	Sunderland
Barclays Premier League - Sat 20
FT	Sunderland	1-0	Everton
Barclays Premier League - Mon 29
FT	A Villa	6-1	Sunderland

May

Barclays Premier League - Mon 6
FT	Sunderland	1-1	Stoke City
Barclays Premier League - Sun 12
FT	Sunderland	1-1	Southamptn
Barclays Premier League - Sun 19
FT	Tottenham	1-0	Sunderland