Asian Football Confederation launches 3 new leagues, sponsored by smartphone brand TECNO

[This is a sponsored article with TECNO.]

Head to any pub, bar, or mamak in Malaysia and there’s a good chance there will be a football match playing.

Football isn’t just a game in Malaysia—it’s a passion that brings people together.

This enthusiasm is set to grow even more with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) launching new club competitions.

For context, the AFC is the governing body of association football, beach soccer, and futsal in most countries and territories in Asia. Formed in 1954, it has 47 member associations split into five regions (West, Central, South, East, and Southeast nations).

The AFC is introducing three fresh tournaments for the 2024-2025 season: the AFC Champions League Elite™, the AFC Champions League Two™, and the AFC Women’s Champions League™. These leagues promise to showcase top football talent from across Asia.

On top of that, TECNO, a global mobile phone manufacturer, has just been announced as the official global supporter of these AFC competitions. 

The partnership, revealed at a Kuala Lumpur event on August 13, 2024, is aimed at bringing innovative tech to football fans, stated the press release. 

Laury Bai, Chief Marketing Officer from TECNO, noted that this collaboration embodies the brand’s “Stop at Nothing” spirit of progress and innovation, aiming to enhance the fan experience.

TECNO, known for its gaming phones, operates in over 70 markets. Their knack for blending technology with design makes them a suitable fit for this role with the AFC.

The phone brand aims to use this partnership with AFC to enhance its brand presence in Asia by connecting with a vast football fan base, with global viewership nearing one billion, according to the press release.

For the AFC, teaming up with TECNO is advantageous as well. 

Take TECNO’s partnership with the 34th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for example. 

TECNO didn’t just sponsor the tournament, they went all out with an intricately choreographed show of 1,000 luminous drones, the first of its kind on the African continent. 

The breathtaking aerial display lit up the night sky and captured the excitement of AFCON, showcasing TECNO’s commitment to blending sports and technology in creative ways. 

With the AFC partnership, TECNO is set to bring similar innovations to Asia, energising fans and taking football engagement to the next level, stated the press release.

Featured Image Credit: TECNO x Asian Football Confederation