PETALING JAYA: The decision by Malaysian Football League (MFL) to terminate its sponsorship deal with Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) will not affect Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) ties with the telecommunication company.
“TM has been with FAM for a long time, so the sponsorship will go on until 2020,” he told a press conference on Monday, adding that TM began sponsoring FAM in 2000 before becoming the main sponsor in 2005.
MFL decided to terminate its contract with TM as the main sponsor of the Malaysia League (M-League) after the telecommunication giant failed to settle the payment for broadcasting rights for this season.
Meanwhile, Hamidin also explained that his nomination for the post of executive council member in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) was for the good of football in the country.
“I was also offered to run for the post of vice-president in AFC, but I prefer to be nominated for the post of exco member. My priority is to head FAM,” he said ahead of the AFC elections next month.
In a related development, Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) has quashed several news reports that the telecommunications company has failed to met its obligations to the Malaysian Football League (MFL) under its sponsorship of the Malaysian League.
TM in the statement said the company and MFL were unable to mutually agree on several fundamental commercial terms necessary for the intended collaboration, causing both parties to decide to part ways.
“Despite several extensions of the agreed deadline to sign a definitive agreement, both parties were unable to arrive at an understanding. In view of this, on November 1 2018, TM duly notified MFL in writing that the partnership has come to an end,” TM added.
The company, however, said it would continue to give support to the national sports and its athletes.
Last Friday, MFL announced they decided to terminate TM as the title sponsor for Malaysian League with immediate effect Monday.
MFL chairman, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim said the decision was taken after chairing the MFL Board of Directors meeting via video conferencing after discussions to continue the existing contract did not proceed smoothly.
TM had signed an eight-year agreement with MFL in January last year, said to be worth RM480 million. – Bernama
