Foul!

2018 will end in about two weeks. The conversations have been consistently about "bad economy" (or to some the 3Rs - rights, race and religion) since May 9 happened. And now there are talks of Telekom Malaysia pulling out as the title sponsor of the M-League. This despite having signed a lucrative deal with the guardians of the Malaysian football league - dubbed as the "biggest agreement in Malaysian sports history worth RM480 million (RM60 million over eight years). On Feb 1, NST reported: Telekom Malaysia's (TM) Unifi brand is the new title sponsor for the Malaysian Super League and Malaysia Cup in a collaboration with Football Malaysia LLP (FMLLP) until 2025. TM’s premier convergence brand Unifi will also co-sponsor the FA Cup as the eight-year agreement, beginning this season, marks TM’s continued support towards local football development and uplifting the standard of sports in the country. With the sponsorship, the league is now known as “...

They were both in their 20s, armed with fibre optic cables and tools. The two gentlemen, Telekom Malaysia contractors who install Unifi in homes and offices, were generous with their smiles and knowledge. And they had interesting tales to tell. One of them shared his experience: “There was this customer who insisted that we did not drill a single hole in his home. He said the fibre optic cable could go through the windows instead. We explained to him that the fibre optic cables are sensitive and could be damaged easily if it was not wired properly. We even communicated the matter with our superior and he too told us to not install the devices. The customer got angry as we told him we could not entertain his request. He took the modem, router, and other equipment which was initially supposed to be installed in his home. He refused to return them to us and scolded us instead. I had no choice but to lodge a police report as the customer took our things.” These contractors belong to c...

As published in Mailsport today By Haresh Deol haresh@mmail.com.my KUALA LUMPUR — The fight to secure broadcasting rights for the M-League has taken a new twist as the parties involved have joined forces. And this would bring more cheers to local football fans as there will be a minimum of three live matches telecast on match days. Telekom Malaysia (TM), Media Prima, Astro and Fox Sports had all sent a joint bid at RM60 million per year for the next six years to the FA of Malaysia (FAM) on Friday. The national body is expected to announce its decision tomorrow. The figure is double of Astro’s RM30 million annual obligation which ran from 2011 till last year. Mailsport learnt that the broadcasters decided to team up after learning there were efforts by another party to secure the production which will be later sold to the broadcasters. “The broadcasters have decided to team up. This way, they will be able to commit to the requirements put for...

As published in Malay Mail today. M-League teams want bigger slice of pie By Vijhay Vick vijhayvick@mmail.com.my PETALING JAYA — M-League teams want their share of the pie increased when the FA of Malaysia (FAM) sign a new bumper M-League sponsorship deal. Under the current RM30 million-a-year deal with cable television operators Astro, each of the 12 Super League, Premier League and FAM League teams receive RM350,000, RM250,000 and RM50,000 respectively. There are also incentives based on league placings. The grants work out to a mere RM7.8 million — meaning FAM keep the remaining RM22.2 million to run the league, pay incentives for league placements and for other expenses such as RM15,000 to home teams and RM5,000 to away teams for matches shown live. Malay Mail spoke to several state FAs and clubs regarding the new deal which could be worth in excess of RM70 million and they unanimously indicated the need for a bigger pay cheque. “I can’t put a figure on it but the amount must ...