Societe Generale Cyprus clinches Baghdatis sponsor deal

Marcos to play in football fund-raiser

Societe Generale Cyprus will sign a three-year sponsorship deal today with Cypriot-born tennis ace Marcos Baghdatis, who presently lies sixth in the world ATP rankings.

The agreement, valid to the end of 2009, will be endorsed during a signing ceremony at the Hilton Cyprus and has been labelled “Commitment to Success” which refers to Baghdatis’ aspirations as well as Societe Generale’s targets in Cyprus.

The deal will also put an end to the uncontrolled copyright abuse witnessed when Marcos reached the finals of the Australian Open in January and companies printed posters and leaflets without acquiring the rights to use his name or image.

SGC seems to have scooped all the local banks with this deal, which is probably the most important sponsorship agreement for any Cypriot sportsman, but it will not be in conflict with Marcos’ worldwide sponsors adidas and racquet-makers Fisher.

adidas will host Baghdatis at its flagship store on Anexartisias str. in Limassol at noon on Saturday for autographs.

adidas is also sponsoring the Visitors’ team that includes French professional footballers Daniel Bravo, Laurent Fournier and Florian Maurice, as well as Marcos, who will take on Baghdatis’ favourite home team of Apollon in a charity game in aid of two children’s funds.

The football fund raiser will take place on Sunday afternoon at Limassol’s Tsirion stadium.