Naza to sponsor national attire outfits for para-athletes

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian para-athletes’ contingent for the Asian Para Games 2018 in Jakarta won’t be going in just their tracksuits when they parade on Oct 6.

Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd will be sponsoring the national attire outfits for all 226 para-athletes and contingent officials, the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) president, SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin (pic), said in a press statement today.

Nasarudin, who is also the Group Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Naza Corporation Holdings, said the sponsorship was in line with the company’s core values to promote health and well-being.

“Our country has an amazing pool of talented para-athletes and despite their physical challenges, their sheer determination, hardwork and relentless passion for sports opened doors for them to achieve excellence,” Nasarudin stated.

The Star had previously reported that the para-athlete contingent was struggling to find money to fund their official attire for the opening ceremony in Jakarta.

Nasarudin clarified that the national attire issue was not a problem from the beginning, as PCM and other relevant government agencies had already begun negotiations to secure sponsors.

Companies which had signed on to sponsor the contingent included TuneTalk, Bata Malaysia and Naza Corporation Holdings.

“In the circumstance, the statement made by Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Steven Sim, is correct and PCM concurs with him,” Nasarudin stated.

He added that it was standard practice to distribute attire to the contingent a few days before departing for the Games.

Nasarudin added that PCM was now strategising to be financially independent, and aside from seeking corporate sponsors, the council would initiate a crowd-funding effort to support PCM activities to achieve its objectives.