Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited, which holds the brand Yingli Solar, is a leading solar energy company and one of the world’s largest vertically integrated photovoltaic (“PV”) manufacturers. In a statement released jointly with world football’s governing body FIFA, the company announced that it had become the first renewable energy company to sponsor the FIFA World Cup. This year’s tournament will be held in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July, 2010. Yingli Green Energy is also the first Chinese company to seal a global sponsorship deal with FIFA.

By joining the list of prestigious FIFA World Cup sponsors, Yingli Green Energy is answering FIFA’s call to make the world’s most popular sport not only a celebration of the game but also a sign of respect for the planet that we inhabit.

The announcement was made at the Yingli 2010 FIFA World Cup sponsorship-signing ceremony and press conference hosted in Beijing, with video messages from FIFA headquarters in Zurich. By establishing this alliance with FIFA, Yingli Green Energy is aiming to further its strategic marketing initiatives worldwide in conjunction with the FIFA World Cup.

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter indicated that FIFA had selected Yingli Green Energy to become one of its international sponsors because of Yingli’s track record of success in the field of renewable energy and the company’s clear commitment to the environment.

“The announcement of Yingli Green Energy as the first Chinese company to be a global sponsor of the FIFA World Cup marks a historical moment,” said Mr Blatter. “Furthermore, I am extremely pleased that Yingli has chosen to support 20 Centres for 2010, the Official Campaign of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, by providing solar panels and committing to our efforts to create a better environment, as embodied by our ‘Green Goal’ concept. I want to commend Mr Liansheng Miao and his team at Yingli Green Energy on this sponsorship and their commitment to helping us build a better future, which is one of our most important missions.”

Mr Jerome Valcke, Secretary General of FIFA, added: “I am very excited to welcome such a world-leading renewable energy company and the first Chinese company to the FIFA family. We are looking forward to sharing ideas on how to go about making the world greener and cleaner through the love of football.”

Mr Liansheng Miao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Yingli Green Energy, commented: “As one of the world’s leading solar companies, we are excited to be joining other world-class brands as an international sponsor of the FIFA World Cup. This sponsorship links Yingli Green Energy to the world’s most popular and passionately followed sport. We feel privileged to have this opportunity, and look forward to offering our expertise to help FIFA leverage this much-loved sport to promote a better, greener environment. This sponsorship also signifies our response to the growing global demand to create a greener world through renewable energy. We are proud of our mission and the steps we are taking to make solar power an enduring and cost-effective technology for all humankind.”

Yingli Green Energy’s sponsorship agreement for the 2010 FIFA World Cup gives the company global marketing rights, including certain ticket, perimeter-board advertising and media rights as well as the right to showcase its solar products at the fan zones in the FIFA World Cup stadiums. Additionally, the agreement gives Yingli the right to place its company logo next to the FIFA World Cup™ Official Emblem and advertise or promote its products and services at each step of the distribution process. Yingli will have access to extensive on-site opportunities at FIFA World Cup stadiums for marketing and promotion purposes.

Source and Photo Credit: FIFA