Green boost for World Cup with first China sponsor

Yingli Green Energy, one of the world's largest manufacturers of solar panels, was unveiled as the first Chinese company to sponsor the Fifa World Cup yesterday.

Also the first renewable energy company to back football's showpiece event, Yingli becomes the seventh event-specific sponsor of South Africa 2010, which takes place from June 11 to July 11 this year.

China is emerging as a favourite hunting ground for sporting organisations seeking new sponsorship, especially after the successful marketing campaign for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"Fifa cannot do without China and that is why we are extremely proud today to welcome the first Chinese company to be part of the World Cup," said Fifa's Marketing Director Thierry Weil, who also defended the environmental record of Fifa and the World Cup.

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