CONSUMER electronics giant Hisense has become an official sponsor of the 2018 World Cup, becoming the second Chinese company to join hands with FIFA as it looks for new sponsors after the scandals of the Sepp Blatter era.

    Hisense, a television and white goods manufacturer, follows Chinese conglomerate Wanda in becoming a sponsor of soccer’s world governing body.

    Hisense advertising will appear pitchside and on screens at the 2018 tournament in Russia, while its televisions will be the official TVs for the competition.

    Hisense will also be associated with the Confederations Cup in Russia this summer, FIFA said in its announcement Thursday, which did not reveal the sums of money involved. Hisense also sponsored the Euro 2016 championship in France and is a backer of the Australian Open tennis Grand Slam in Melbourne.

    Wanda last year became the first top-level sponsor signed by FIFA following the departure of long-time leader Blatter.

    (SD-Agencies)