Penang FA attracts sponsor for Super League team

Eastern & Oriental Bhd is officially the ‘Rakan Sukan’ (partner in sports) for the Penang state FA, K Kandiah reported in the Malay Mail. The company will sponsor the State Super League team with RM2 million per year. The MoU was signed by the Eastern & Oriental Bhd chairman Datuk Azizan Abdul Rahman and Penang FA president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon at the E&O Hotel’s Cornwallis Suite in George Town yesterday.

E&O Group managing director Datuk Terry Tham said: "As in all agreements there is an escape clause in this MoU too. Play well and don’t get relegated to continue receiving our sponsorship. We expect Penang to win the MSL trophy. We will reward the players with a 10-course dinner in fine dining."

Tsu Koon thanked E&O for being the first corporate group to sponsor a team in the MSL. "We need around RM4 million to conduct all our activities which includes the MSL, Under-21 President Cup, Under-19 Milo-Youth Cup, the age-groups and the soccer academy. RM3 million is spent on the Super League and with E&O’s RM2 million our financial troubles are greatly reduced. The State Sports Council have contributed RM150,000" he said.