Sting Energy Drink has unveiled a two-year partnership with the Uganda Boxing Champions League, as its Exclusive Energy Drink Partner.

Sting is the leading energy drink in the market, produced by Crown Beverages Ltd – the makers of Pepsi. It was launched in Uganda in 2016.

Whereas Sting is venturing into Ugandan boxing for the first time, it has a long history of iconic international Boxing partnerships like the Manny Pacquiao endorsement in the Philippines.

This two-year partnership is a collaboration between the Uganda Boxing Federation, Top Boys Promotion, Next Media Services and Sting Energy Drink, aimed at breathing new life into Ugandan Boxing and connecting with the local fans. Sting’s platinum sponsorship is valued at UGX 285,000,000 and covers sponsorship fees, product, venue branding and fight night activations.

The panelists at the press event included Captain Mike Mukula – patron of the Boxing Federation, Ms. Grace Namutebi – Sting Energy Drink Brand Manager, Sula Kamoga – CEO Top Boys Promotion, Moses Muhangi – President, Uganda Boxing Federation and Desire Derek Ford Mugumisa – Head of Corporate Affairs at Next Media Services which is the official media partner for the collaboration.

Sting's Brand Manager, Grace Namutebi, revealed that the scope of the partnership will include pre-event all access drives, Face Offs on the eves of the fights and the Official Fight Nights, which shall be held bi-monthly at the MTN Arena. Fans may choose between VIP or general seating. They shall also be eligible to win prizes courtesy of Sting. All events shall be streamed live on the Afro Mobile app and repeats on Sanyuka TV, NBS Sport and other Next Media platforms.

“We are very excited to get into local boxing. Our main objective is to continue promoting the game,” Namutebi noted adding that; “youth are passionate about our brands and they are the ones involved in boxing and other sports. We are also excited to work with UBF for the first time.”

Moses Muhangi, the local boxing boss noted that with Sting Energy Drink on board the league will soar to new heights. “Everyone should accept that boxing is a big sport that is now attracting corporate bodies. I urge other companies to sponsor the champions league and all our activities and events because they will get value for their money,” Muhangi said.
Muhangi didn’t shy away from saying that the champions league is the ‘number one hit song’ in Kampala right one. UBF also wants to take the event outside the city in the near future.

The boxing patron Capt. Mike Mukula was happy with Sting’s arrival on board saying that the league is headed in the right direction.

“Partners like this will ensure that boxing becomes the number one sport in the country. This is a monumental occasion for local boxing and this is the direction corporate companies should take,” Mukula said adding that the elevation of government funding for boxing from UGX300M to UGX3B in the new financial year is a good thing.
"I thank Crown Beverages Limited led by chairman Amos Nzeyi for this sponsorship. I also thank Next Media services led by Kin Karisa. We must provide African solutions to African problems. I thank the Government of Uganda for supporting sports in this country and particularly boxing for the increased funding from 300,000,000 to 3 billion starting the incoming financial year. Government also provided 10 acres of land to UBF through the Uganda Land Commission. We are committed to make boxing number one in East Africa. We shall continue to build and maintain more coaches," he said.

"Champions League is a concept of the UBF. We initiated it to have boxers improve on branding, increase commercial value of boxing. This sponsorship is not by accident but after planning. Sport has a number of stakeholders; boxers, media, fans and sponsors. Thank UBF executive for putting in place good governance structures that have enabled such partners to come on board."
Sula Kamoga, CEO Top Boy Promotions

"I thank Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) for the cordial partnership" Desire Derrick Ford Mugumisa, the Head of Corporate Affairs Next Media Services said.