Malaysian hockey gets timely boost from Puma

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 -- The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) has unveiled a sponsorship deal worth RM1.5 million with Puma for three years from 2021.

MHC president, Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal hopes the German brand's arrival as the new official attire for the national teams would be a timely boost, especially the men's team preparing for the 2020 Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) in Dhaka, Bangladesh in November.

Although the sponsorship deal officially begins next year, Subahan said the Speedy Tigers squad would be able to wear the kits before the ACT. 

"It has given us a timely morale booster, especially for the players to wear and feel it. So all they have to do is wear the new attire and do their best in the ACT. 

"The RM500,000 a year deal includes sponsorship of jerseys, jackets and socks for all our national teams, except shoes and sticks, where the players have their own preferences," he said at a press conference after the document and mock cheque exchange between MHC and Puma at the National Hockey Stadium, here, today. 

The new kit, which is still under the design phase, is expected to be launched at the end of October. 

On another development, Subahan said the decision on the new women's team coach would be made tomorrow at the confederation's coaching committee meeting. 

Subahan also confirmed that all the national players who underwent the swab test early this week, tested negative for COVID-19. 

Meanwhile, Active Sports Centre manager, S. Murugeson said Puma was proud to work with Malaysian hockey. 

"The Malaysian hockey team is of a world-class standard with the men's team ranked 11th in the world. We hope with this new deal, they can improve the rankings further," he said. 

Active Sports Centre is the entity responsible for Puma's sponsorship and its corporate affairs in Malaysia. 

-- BERNAMA