KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 — Pamoga Qu Puteh intends to terminate its sponsorship of the Kelantan football team ahead of expiry next season, according to state football association president Tan Sri Annuar Musa.
Annuar said the firm belonging to cosmetics mogul Datuk Seri Hasmiza Othman, better known as “Datuk Vida,” is contracted to be the team's sponsors until 2017,
“I understand their intention and will bring the matter to the Kelantan Football Association council. We will find the best way out by considering all factors including maintaining cordial long-term ties with all parties,” the former minister wrote on his Facebook page today.
Annuar said the decision will add to the Kafa's problems, but said they will overcome the adversity with “sincerity and honesty.”
He then said that he will continue “carrying the burden that nobody wants” of running the association.
The unconfirmed decision will bring to an end repeated speculation that Hasmiza was seeking to terminate the relationship with the team known as the “Red Warriors,” less than a year into the deal.
Annuar last month reminded the businesswoman that her firm was contracted to the team until November 2017.
Pamoga Qu Puteh signed the two-year, RM16 million sponsorship deal with Kelantan in January this year.
Hasmiza previously expressed misgivings over the relationship owing to the performance of the team and the lack of returns from the sponsorship.
The Red Warriors are currently fourth in the Super League. The team finished ninth in the previous season.
Elsewhere, Hasmiza is also facing troubles of her own, after she was charged with 32 counts of failing to pay RM4.2 million in the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
