Salmond hails Haughey for Cup gesture

Published on Wednesday 15 October 2008 10:22

FIRST Minister Alex Salmond has described the Scottish Cup as the "jewel in the crown" of Scotland's Homecoming celebrations after securing a sponsorship partnership with the Scottish Football Association.

This season's tournament will be known as the Homecoming Scottish Cup after Glasgow businessman Willie Haughey donated the branding rights of his 2million, two-year sponsorship package to the Scottish Government.

The cup will be used to promote the Homecoming tourism drive, which has been designed to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. The trophy will then become a vehicle to promote healthy living and good citizenship. Salmond said: "Thanks to the generosity of Willie Haughey, it's given us a no-brainer as a government.

"His sponsorship allows us to get across a whole range of really important messages, about football for all, citizenship through football, healthy living, participation and lifestyle choices, anti-sectarianism.

"Everybody interested in Scotland wants to know what's happening in the Scottish Cup, so it's a great platform for the Homecoming message.

The 1million-per-year deal, which may be extended beyond two years, will allow the SFA to divert money into youth football following a near 18-month search for a replacement to former sponsor Tennent's.