McDonald’s to sponsor sports team
QSR chain to provide equipment, training for Sinobo Guoan players
McDonald’s Beijing, the quick service restaurant or QSR chain, has announced sponsorship of a training program for the Beijing Sinobo Guoan Football Club. It will provide training equipment and daily nutrition supplies to more than 120 teenage players.
“We wish our children and teenage players (to be) happy and healthy in their pursuit of (their) dream,” said Lin Huirong, COO of McDonald’s China. “McDonald’s has a history of supporting football, starting from the 1994 FIFA in the US.”
Li Ming, general manager of Sinobo Guoan, said he looked forward to the cooperation. Li also said the club has been working with multiple training centers to develop its own training system and make the program more professional.
Li added that the club is also interested in promoting football to school campuses.
The McDonald’s program will also include its business operations. From March 26 to April 8, consumers could get a “fan’s card” when they bought certain McDonald’s meals. For seven games involving Sinobo Guoan from March 31 to May 11, customers with the fan’s card can get a free medium soft drink at 222 McDonald’s stores in Beijing on game days.
Sports are not the only area McDonald’s has been supporting through its corporate social responsibility efforts. The chain has been actively supporting charity efforts in China since opening its first domestic store, in Beijing, in 1992.
Cooperating with China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, McDonald’s China started planning for its “Ronald McDonald House Charities” in 2006, providing free temporary housing for families with children hospitalized nearby.
The first of those Ronald McDonald houses in China was in Hunan province, and at the first anniversary of that facility, company officials said the house had helped a total of 93 families, according to Chinanews. com. McDonald’s has donated more than 30 million yuan in natural disaster aid, and its foundation has also provided free medical treatment for 218 children diagnosed with congenital heart disease.
Since 2010, McDonald’s has called on its staff to volunteer at charity programs promoting children’s welfare.