LaLiga consolidates its presence in Africa

LaLiga president Javier Tebas paid working visits to South Africa and Angola this week, where he was able to witness for himself how Spanish football's profile is thriving in the two African countries. The trip, which came as part of LaLiga's ongoing internationalisation process, also served to strengthen ties with football institutions in the countries and to seal new commercial partnerships. 

The expedition saw a Spanish delegation headed by Tebas and also including Antonio Barradas, the manager of LaLiga's offices in Africa, visit the Angola Football Academy, once again underlining LaLiga's firm commitment to youth development. 

Similarly, the Spanish Embassy in Luanda was the venue for a meeting between the Angolan sports minister and a group of LaLiga executives including president Tebas. "It's an honour for this Spanish football delegation to be received by the minister of sport at the Spanish Embassy. This is a very important occasion for our institution, one which will help to foster relations between our two countries in the field of sport," Tebas enthused. 

Also while in Angola, the LaLiga contingent had the opportunity to sit down with representatives from the Angolan Football Federation (FAF), with whom they shared impressions and experiences in relation to a number of subjects. 

Earlier in the trip, which began on Tuesday and came to an end this Friday, LaLiga unveiled its first-ever sponsorship agreement in South Africa, with soft drinks and sports beverages manufacturer Kingsley. Taking their places at the ceremony held to present the agreement were president Tebas; Vicente Casado, LaLiga's managing director of international development, Barradas and Roger Diniz, one of the company directors at Kingsley. During his address, Diniz voiced his delight at the deal, stating that, "We're very proud and excited to be LaLiga's regional sports drinks partner in South Africa. We share LaLiga's core values and believe that this partnership will allow us to strengthen and extend these values throughout the region." 

This expedition also saw LaLiga – which currently boasts two offices across the African continent, with a base in South Africa and another in Nigeria – assist Malaga CF with their international development efforts. On Tuesday, the organisation welcomed Nayef Al Thani, a board member at the Andalusian club and Carlos Perez, the club's presidential advisor, to its headquarters in South Africa. This marked the beginning of a stay in which Malaga are aiming to broaden their horizons, as club representatives and Casado met with major figures from within South African football. 

During their time in Africa, the LaLiga representatives were able to witness the burgeoning interest in the Spanish game, as the organisation made further progress with its internationalisation strategy by meeting and sharing knowledge with representatives from within South African and Angolan football.