The new title sponsor of the national and youth national football teams of Ukraine has become the mobile communications operator company "Kyivstar," which will work with the team for the next 15 months. Recall that previously the title sponsor of the two main national teams of Ukraine was the company "Myagkov." Incidentally, representatives of "Myagkov" noted at the press conference that they refused further sponsorship of the Ukrainian national team due to the introduction of restrictions on alcohol advertising in Ukraine from January 1, 2006.
However, it seems this did not affect the relationship between the FFU and the well-known vodka brand in any way. At least Surkis noted during the press conference that over the past two years he had repeatedly tried the beverage of the "Myagkov" company and remained in good health and well-being.
In turn, "Myagkov" presented Surkis with a certificate for 1,000,000 dollars, which will be paid if the "blue-yellows" win the 2006 World Championship. Surkis, in turn, awarded the head of "Myagkov" with the highest distinction of the FFU.
The new partners — the FFU and "Kyivstar" — also did not go without mutual gifts. The mobile operator gave Surkis a symbolic coin the size of a basketball, on the sides of which the logos of the FFU and "Kyivstar" are depicted, and from Surkis received a jersey of the Ukrainian national team with the number one and the inscription "Kyivstar."
It is probably the first time during the existence of the FFU that the amount of the contract signed by both parties was made public. Let us note that it is quite substantial. 7.5 million dollars will be paid by "Kyivstar" to the FFU within the framework of cooperation over these 15 months, plus 2 million dollars to incentivize the players of the national team. Moreover, Surkis assured that in the event of a successful performance at the 2006 World Championship, the "blue-yellows" could receive an amount several times larger than the certificate provided by "Myagkov"...
Surkis also emphasized that the FFU does not intend to stand before sponsors with an outstretched hand and itself chooses those with whom to cooperate. And if they reject proposals, it is only those that are offensive to them...
As for more football-related news, Surkis revealed the national team's immediate plans. It is not excluded that the Ukrainian national team will play friendly matches against the teams of Italy and Germany. True, the date and venue of these duels are currently being determined. They are expected to take place in Kyiv.