Maba sign sponsorship deal worth RM3.5mil
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysia Basketball Association (Maba) have signed their biggest sponsorship deal ever that is sure to boost their preparation for the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games in August.
Maba, who have been without a main sponsor since Petronas ended its 20year partnership in 2015, signed a yearlong sponsorship package worth RM3.5mil with Westports Malaysia (RM2.5mil) and property firm PRG Holdings (RM1mil) yesterday.
This tops the previous deal with Petronas, which was for RM1.5mil a year. It was subsequently reduced to just RM1mil a year from 20102015.
The sponsorship money will be used to support the development and training of the national coaching staff as well as the men and women’s national teams.
It will also be used to renovate and upgrade the Maba Stadium, which hasn’t been refurbished since 2001.
Work on the stadium, which has already begun, is expected to be completed next month.
“The Maba Stadium will receive a complete makeover for the SEA Games,” said Maba president Datuk Lua Choon Hann.
“We will also use the money to prepare the teams for the SEA Games.
“We are grateful to both Westports and PRG for helping to develop basketball in Malaysia.”
Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has lauded the efforts of Maba and Westports, who also owns a professional basketball franchise – the Westports Malaysia Dragons.
“This is the best example of having a corporate sponsor supporting local sports and working together in synergy,” said Khairy.
“I want to congratulate Westports and Maba for putting this partnership together ... and to PRG for following suit in coming up with the financial support for Maba.
“Hopefully, this will set a good example to other sports associations ... that they do not need to rely fully on government funding.”
The Maba Stadium will receive a complete makeover for the SEA Games. We will also use the money to prepare the teams for the SEA Games. Datuk Lua Choon Hann