Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and AirAsia will jointly sponsor the jerseys of Queens Park Rangers Football Club (QPR) for the Barclay Premier Leaque (BPL) for the seasons 2011/2012 and 2012/2013.MAS will sponsor the jerseys of the club’s players during its home matchesin the BLP, while AirAsia's sponsorship would be for QPR’s away match and "third" jerseys for the similar two seasons of the BPL.
"MAS is elated to be associated with QPR's ascendancy to the Premier League," MAS' executive director, Mohammed Rashdan Yusof said.
QPR, which is 66 per cent owned by AirAsia chief, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, will wear the new home game jersey, adorned with the MAS logo, for the first time in tonight’s showdown against Newcastle United at Loftus Road Stadium.
The sponsorship is considered the first in the history of professional football globally where two airlines from the same country have teamed up tosponsor a football team, it was stated in a statement released today.
"Our sponsorship of the home jersey of QPR, together with AirAsia's sponsorship of the away jersey, is a first for the Premier League. It also celebrates MAS' recent collaboration framework with Air Asia," Mohammed Rashdan said.
He said the sponsorship -- MAS' major initiative in a new brand marketing stategy -- will enable the flag carrier to reinforce its global full-service presence and premium franchise via football fans and lovers from all over Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Australia.
AirAsia in a filing to Bursa Malaysia also said that association with the sports of football will further elevate its brand given that football was the top global spectator sport and with BPL having a large following in Asia.
QPR chief executive officer, Philip Beard said: "Attracting two major Asian companies to come on board shows the global appeal QPR has as a brand.
"He said QPR was extremely positive about building a thriving relationship with both airlines to broaden its exposure in Southeast Asia and further.
"This is a remarkable deal for the club and brings further positive news following a highly successful few weeks since the takeover." This is not the first time MAS is delighting the fans of BPL in Asia.
It was the official air charterer of Manchester United’s Asian Tour in 2005 and 2007. Likewise it was the official air charterer for Chelsea’s Asian Tour in 2008 and this year. Another BPL team, Arsenal, also travelled on Malaysia Airlines charter flights for its Asian tour this year. -- Bernama
Source : Bernama