North East football giant Shillong Lajong FC today announced Gionee smartphones as their marquee sponsor in the I-League this season.
"We are proud to tie-up with Gionee smartphones and we believe the association will act as an impetus for the club to achieve our objective of harnessing football talent in the North East," Lajong FC Managing Director Larsing M Sawyan told reporters.
"The region has a reservoir of football talent and through this association, we aim to continue identifying and developing budding footballers and leave an indelible mark in the football arena of the country," he said.
Lajong, which ended their best I-League campaign in the past five years securing sixth spot in the table last season, also announced the signing of Nigerian Penn Orji and re-signing of their top scorer Cornell Glen, striker Uilliams and main defender Minchol Son.
Gionee smartphones DGM Timir Baran Acharyya said, "We are extremely delighted to partner with Shillong Lajong FC who have emerged as a strong team in the I League over years."
He also said the partnership with Lajong allows the company to develop exciting apps for Gionee phone users, whereby Lajong was likely to be incorporated as a team in one of their game apps.
"Football is one of the most popular sport in the North East and we wanted to connect with the youth through their passion and this association advocates our line of thought. We hope to establish an enduring association and wish the team the very best for the competition," Acharyya said.
Lajong FC chairman P D Sawyan also announced setting up of a football academy for the club on the outskirts of the city, which would start functioning from this year.
