Chelsea Reveal They Wanted SA Tourism to Sponsor Them First!

Chelsea Reveal They Wanted SA Tourism to Sponsor Them First! The department is set to work with Premier League team Spurs.

SA Tourism has revealed that they intend to enter into a partnership with Tottenham Hotspurs which will see them spend R1 billion over the period. Chelsea have claimed that they had initially wanted to work with the department.

Earlier today, acting CEO Themba Khumalo confirmed that the Tourism Department is set to seal this deal in the coming days. However, it has appeared that Chelsea proposed this deal a few years ago, but the department would be spending R760 million, almost a quarter less.

“What I can tell you is that I’ve had extensive discussions with the relevant stakeholders in South Africa regarding a potential partnership deal with The Blues,” SABC Sport exclusively reported.

“It all started in 2021 as I could see the damages caused by the pandemic in a country where tourism plays such a major role, as a source of revenue and employment – this is why I contacted ‘Visit South Africa’.

“In the proposal, the government, through SA Tourism’s budget allocation, was going to pay Chelsea 12-million Pounds annually for the duration of the three-year deal, which was scheduled to commence from 1 July 2022 until 30 July 2025. 

“Tottenham’s proposal would work out at 14.2-million Pounds a year – I was shocked, and I still am. After spending almost half-a-year speaking with South Africa about the opportunity to boost its tourism through a partnership with an incredibly successful, leading EPL club.

“How can everyone involved change their minds so quickly? Does it make sense? Why not Chelsea? Why [is the Tottenham deal] more expensive? This is not straightforward.

“I brought everything to the table, and somebody is having a ‘free lunch’ at the expense of South Africans. Doesn’t it taste bitter?”

The deal with Spurs is expected to be concluded soon. Chelsea Reveal They Wanted SA Tourism to Sponsor Them First!