Support National Athletes by Wearing the Panthera

Saturday April 30, 2011
By SHAUN HO
newsdesk@thestar.com.my


KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians can now sport the same team colours as their favourite local sporting heroes with the launch of the Team Malaysia Panthera jersey.

Officially worn by national athletes competing in international sporting events, supporters would now be able to put on a show of solidarity with the jersey's striking black on yellow stripes.

Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) signed agreements with the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) for exclusive rights to produce and distribute the jersey as well as other merchandise bearing the striped design and the Olympic rings logo.


Show of solidarity: (From left) Zamzamzairani, TM chairman Datuk Dr Halim Shafie, Shabery, Tunku Imran and Zolkples holding up the Panthera jerseys which would be available for sale at selected TMPoint outlets.
The agreements were signed by TM group CEO Datuk Seri Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, NSC director general Datuk Zolkples Embong and OCM president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, who witnessed the signing, said it was a bold move to market clothing and to associate it with Malaysian sports as the brand.

“Sports is not just about the athletes but also the supporters. TM will produce other apparel too and this will encourage fans to wear it at all sporting events,” Shabery said after the launch of the Team Malaysia jersey at Menara TM here yesterday.

He added that profits from the jersey's sales would be channelled to the NSC trust fund for all youth sport.

Zolkples Embong said TM was given the rights because he felt the company could promote the jersey to NSC's expectations.

“Nobody has presented a comprehensive plan to promote a national sports attire on a massive scale before. TM is big enough to do it,” said Zolkples.

The Team Malaysia Panthera jersey is available in adult and children sizes and can be purchased at selected TMPoint outlets as well as TM events and roadshows for RM79.90.

The jersey can also be purchased online via www.tm.net.my, www.tmrewards.com.my and www.everyoneconnects.net for RM69.90.

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