Japanese club Yokohama F. Marinos on Friday announced a partnership with
2013 Myanmar National League champions Yangon United, their second such
agreement with a Southeast Asian nation.
The pact will see the
current J-League leaders contribute their experience as league founders
to Myanmar's growing football culture. The two sides agreed to personnel
and know-how exchanges in addition to mutual development of sponsorship
and other commercial opportunities.
Earlier this summer, Marinos
announced a similar agreement with Thailand's Suphanburi FC. They are
among a number of Japanese clubs to form pacts with SEA clubs as the
J-League looks to expand into the region's growing football market.
"It's
our pleasure to become an official partner of Marinos, one of the best
teams in Asia," said United president Pye Phyo Tay Za in a statement.
"We believe this partnership will be a win-win for both of our clubs."
Myanmar
is one of five countries whose players will be eligible for a
designated SEA roster spot in Japan's newly-established J3, which is set
to begin play in 2014. Professional leagues in Thailand, Vietnam,
Cambodia, and Singapore also have formal cooperation agreements with the
J-League.
"It’s our hope that we contribute to the development
of Yangon United FC," Marinos president Akira Kaetsu said in the same
joint statement. "We're developing a new business model based on our
partnerships with ASEAN clubs."
Source : Goal.com
