Canon has become the first confirmed official sponsor for Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.
Japan 2019 will be the ninth Rugby World Cup and the first in Asia. The 2015 Tournament, hosted in England, was the best ever attended with 2.48 million fans as well as being the most viewed with record broadcast, digital and social coverage in more than 207 nations.
Ireland is bidding to host the tenth edition in 2023 and Hugo MacNeill spoke eloquently of the challenges we face and the opportunity we have at a Sport for Business Breakfast event earlier this month.
Read about Ireland’s bid to Host Rugby World Cup 2023
As with other sporting competitions in the past, Canon will provide behind-the-scenes support to members of the press covering the Rugby World Cup 2019, including camera and lens maintenance services and product loans, to enable photographers to capture all the action of the tournament.
The Canon Group will also provide the print and copying solutions used by the Tournament Organising Committee, supporting the event by facilitating the printout of handout materials and the streamlining of document workflows.
“Following on from Rugby World Cup 2015 in England, Canon is delighted to continue backing the tournament, which will take place in Asia for the first time, as an official sponsor of Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan,” said Canon Chairman and CEO Fujio Mitarai.
“In addition to supporting professional photographers from Japan and overseas as they capture the intense action of the world’s top teams facing off in peak condition; Canon, working together with the organising committee, relevant authorities, local government and other corporate sponsors, will do the utmost to support Rugby World Cup 2019 throughout Japan.”
“We are delighted to be extending our relationship with Canon as a Rugby World Cup 2019 official sponsor,” added World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont.
“Canon is an important supporter of rugby in Japan, an innovator in its field and a perfect match for our premier event.
“This exciting relationship underscores the significant global appeal of the first Rugby World Cup in Asia and we look forward to working in partnership with Canon to extend the reach and impact of the sport in Japan, across Asia and around the globe.”
