South African online bookmaker World Sports Betting has agreed a three-year deal to become title sponsor of domestic cricket franchise the Cape Cobras.
The Cobras represent the Western Province and Boland areas in South African cricket, with WSB set to back the team over the next three seasons.
South African cricket has been hit by the fallout from a match-fixing scandal concerning the 2015 season of domestic Twenty20 competition the T20 Challenge Series. WSB said education initiatives would form a key part of its activation plans.
Ryno Du Plessis, national marketing manager for World Sports Betting, said: “We look forward to changing the face of Cobras Cricket and fans of the franchise can expect some fantastic on field activations, cheerleaders and a whole lot more.”
Warren Tannous, chief executive of WSB, added: “We also express our vehement opposition to match-fixing. We wish to work in association with the players and the South African Cricket Players Association where our assistance is needed in order to educate and train players about the unlawfulness and dangers of match-fixing – a sad reality which has tarnished the industry of betting. We look forward to working with the cricket authorities to break down the stigma around the industry.”
National team stars Hashim Amla (pictured) and Dale Steyn are among the players contracted to the Cobras.