KERCHING! NZF and Martin land a billionaire sponsor...

ISPS Handa is the new funding partner for the sport for the next three years.

In 2017, ISPS Handa will be the naming rights sponsor for one of New Zealand oldest trophies - the ISPS Handa Chatham Cup which dates back to 1923 - and they will also assist the delivery of the game at the grassroots level.

Japanese philanthropist Haruhisa Handa already has an association with the New Zealand Golf Open and and has previously sponsored the New Zealand women's Open.

Dr Handa, who was made an honorary appointment to the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2016 for services to golf and philanthropy, said he was excited to align with football in New Zealand.

"We know that football is the global game," he said. "The huge participation in football across a range of cultures and backgrounds in New Zealand makes it an ideal game to bring people together. We are excited to have an impact and help New Zealand Football and continue their great work."

Handa has made significant donations to the New Zealand Olympic Committee and Paralympics New Zealand in recent times.

New Zealand Football Chief Executive Andy Martin said it was great to welcome ISPS Handa on board as a funding partner and said there was great alignment with their values.

"Dr Handa is well known for being one of New Zealand's great philanthropic givers. His international philanthropic contribution in sports and beyond are notable to say the least. We are delighted that he has decided to invest in football in New Zealand," said Martin.

"Our vision is to be the nation's favourite game and it is with the help of great partners like Dr Handa and his team that we are able to realise this vision. We have two strategic priorities of winning on the world stage and getting more Kiwis loving and playing football - with the values that Dr Handa brings to this partnership we expect to achieve great things in football in New Zealand."

is that the right link?

What an interesting guy, he is an opera baratone, a shinto priest, and gives money generously to arts, medical research, and sports all over the world. 

I'm glad he's come on board, but it's sad that we've had to turn to a philanthropist rather than finding corporate partners because I'm sure his money could be much more useful in his foundations HIV research.

RE: Dr Haruhisa Handa's gift.

Whilst this is welcome money, I hope it is not an indication of where our sport is heading - reliance on philanthropy and funding grants from gambling money (plus ACFC CWC contribution).

Martin's stroke of luck has come about for reasons other than what he was employed to do: show that the sport is in good health, a sound investment and get corporate backing. It concerns me that a 'major' national sport cannot seem to attract corporate sponsorship of any significance, regardless of our national teams' low standings and relative (mens) inactivity. I also wonder how budgets will be re-framed now that this golden egg has been laid. Martin was employed for his supposed strategic corporate nous - I'm yet to see much of it.

Similarly, Mainland Football's 'stroke of good luck' philanthropy from Slava Meyn takes the focus away from the poor job being done by our sports administrators to achieve better facilities with councils and market the game on the basis of sound corporate reasoning - growth, numbers and opportunity.

Martin has been in the job for 3 years now - it's time his performance to date was scrutinised.

PS. There is only one area of NZF that I perceive currently has ambition and some nous and that is futsal. They've grown the game, marketed it by streamlining matches on Stuff website and independently, not to mention pitching to host a bloody World Cup.