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KUALA LUMPUR (18 May 2016): The National Football Development Programme (NFDP) will take on a bigger shape and wider platform following a three-year partnership deal with adidas Malaysia.
The partnership is worth well over RM1.2 million and sees the elite NFDP and future National Football Academy squads who are currently in the national sports schools, wearing the latest adidas kits and equipment for the next three years from 2016 till 2018.
Through the guidance of NFDP’s Project Director, Lim Teong Kim, the NFDP rose to prominence when the National Under-13 squad won the 2015 IBER Cup in Costa del Sol, Spain. In addition to this the team also produced convincing performances against reputable academies from other European countries.
The NFDP was officially launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak in 2014 in Gambang, Pahang. This programme is held in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Education, National Sports Council and Football Association of Malaysia.
Youth and Sports Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, speaking during the partnership signing ceremony with adidas in Kuala Lumpur today, said: “With this partnership, we can be assured of the NFDP having the best equipment to give the programme a giant lift.”
“We welcome adidas commitment in nurturing these talented youngsters at grassroots level,” he added. “I am truly confident with adidas involvement on a larger scale we will be able to focus on the development of youngsters between the ages of 7-17 with the primary objective of creating 300 centres nationwide.”
adidas Malaysia has always shown interest in the development of Malaysian football and has in its stable young players from Penang FA Muhammad Jafri Chew and Muhammed Syamer Kutty, and Selangor FA’s Adam Nor Azlin. The world renowned international brand also sponsors the Johor Darul Takzim football teams.
Max An, adidas Malaysia general-manager, quipped: “Today marks a special day for adidas as we are truly thrilled to be the official sportswear partners of the NFDP with a sponsorship deal worth in the region of RM1.2 million from 2016 to 2018.”
“With our partnership, adidas aim to systematically improve the standards of football in Malaysia and enhance the quality of our young football players. adidas Malaysia is indeed extremely proud to be associated with NFDP and to have our brand carried by our young players on the field”
To increase its reach and initiative in grassroots football, adidas Malaysia is also sponsoring kits and equipment to Victoria Institution and Kuala Lumpur Sports School.
The National Football Development Programme teams will embark on a tour of Europe next month followed by stints in Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asian nations in coming months.
Notes to editors:
About adidas Football
adidas is the global leader in football. It is the official sponsor / official supplier partner of the most important football tournaments in the world, such as the FIFA World Cup™, the FIFA Confederations Cup, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA European Championships. adidas also sponsors some of the world’s top clubs including Manchester United, Real Madrid, FC Bayern Munich, Juventus, Chelsea and AC Milan. Some of the world’s best players also on the adidas roster are Leo Messi, Gareth Bale, Thomas Müller, Luis Suárez, James Rodríguez, Diego Costa, Paul Pogba and Mesut Özil.
