Celcom extends massive deal with BAM
KUALA LUMPUR: Celcom Axiata has extended its partnership with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) by forking out another RM10mil – all in the hope that Malaysia will produce an Olympic champion.
This takes Celcom Axiata’s total contribution to a massive RM34mil.
The telecommunication company’s current three-year sponsorship deal worth RM24mil with BAM ends on June 2019. Now, it has extended the deal for another 15 months – until August 2020.
And BAM president Datuk Seri Norza was grinning from ear to ear.
“I became the president on April 29. I approached Celcom Axiata to extend its sponsorship on May 5.
“On June 5, Celcom Axiata confirmed another RM10mil sponsorship deal. That’s how efficient and supportive our sponsor is,” said Norza to the thunderous applause from all present during the signing ceremony at the Sime Darby Convention Centre yesterday.
“We’re looking forward to having an even closer relationship to develop our game – both at the elite and grassroots levels.”
BAM patron Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor wit- nessed the official sponsorship signing ceremony between Celcom Axiata Berhad chairman Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim and Norza. Also present were all the national shuttlers.
Norza urged the shuttlers to raise their game and do better at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics than the three silver medals won at the Rio Games last year.
In Rio de Janeiro, the silver medals came from Lee Chong Wei (men’s singles), Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong (men’s doubles) and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (mixed doubles).
“We’re hopeful that this partnership will support our development and elite programmes geared towards winning Malaysia’s first gold medal in Tokyo,” said Norza.
Said Jamaludin: “Sports, especially badminton, is one way to unite all Malaysians regardless of race, religion and background. We have a long history in our support of Malaysian badminton, dating back to the Axiata Cup (20122014) and currently the prestigious Malaysian Open.
“It’s our pledge to develop talents and champions. It’ll be our greatest honour to see our national heroes compete in the Olympics under our banner in 2020.”