Toyota presents AFC with Innova multi-purpose vehicle

The Japanese automobile company has been an official sponsor of the AFC’s National Team Programme since 2012, and at the start of this year, strengthened its involvement by committing to the AFC’s Club Programme for a further two years in addition to their existing agreement.

Having added to their National Programme involvement which includes the AFC Asian Cup, Toyota now also supports events including the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup.

“As a symbol of Toyota’s partnership with the AFC, a Toyota Innova is presented to the AFC today,” said Masanao Tomozoe, President and CEO, Toyota Motor Sales and Marketing Corporation.

“The Innova is a regional model developed for Toyota’s customers in Asia. It has been long loved for nearly 40 years, giving it, I believe, something in common with the AFC’s football promotion activities rooted in various countries in Asia.

“Going forward, Toyota, in its partnership with the AFC, intends to promote grassroots activities, such as football clinics and programmes for the youths and children, through its distributor and dealer network in Asia, the Middle East and Australia.

“We would be grateful if such activities are able to contribute, even in the smallest way, to the prosperity the AFC aims to achieve for the sport of football in Asia.”

The addition of the Club Programme to their existing National Programme involvement has seen Toyota build on a relationship which began when the Japanese automobile company first sponsored the AFC Champions League in 2005.

“Football in Asia is going from strength to strength as the recent AFC Asian Cup demonstrated. It is through the contribution of such great partners like Toyota that Asian football has been able to grow and is gaining momentum globally,” said AFC General Secretary Dato’ Alex Soosay.

“Sponsor support is crucial for the AFC in our education programmes and grassroots and youth initiatives, creating a foundation for sustainable success for football in Asia.”