Kuala Lumpur, 14th August 2024 - adidas and the
ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) have today announced a partnership that makes
adidas the Official Performance Partner of the AFF’s four major national team
and club events - the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024™, the ASEAN Club
Championship Shopee Cup™, the ASEAN Women’s Championship™ and the ASEAN U-23
Championship™ collectively branded as ASEAN United FC. Concluded by the AFF’s
exclusive commercial partner SPORTFIVE, the collaboration will see adidas
supporting ASEAN United FC to offer an unmatched experience for fans and
players.
Together, the
region's four premier football tournaments will present football players and
fans unparalleled on-field action as well as unforgettable off-field
experiences. adidas’ established expertise in football coupled with their
commitment to innovation makes the globally renowned brand the ideal Official
Performance Partner for the visionary initiative of ASEAN United FC.
Thibault Durand,
As part of this
partnership, adidas will provide the official match balls for the Mitsubishi
Electric Cup 2024™, Shopee Cup™, ASEAN Women’s Championship™ and ASEAN U-23
Championship™, as well as ball kids and referee kits, underscoring the brand’s
long-standing commitment to inclusivity in sports for all athletes through
their steadfast support of the women and youth championships.
Major General Khiev Sameth, President, AFF, said: “adidas is renowned
throughout the world for their storied history in football and creating
innovative partnerships. We are proud to
partner with adidas to grow our beautiful game and each of our four marquee
events. We also look forward to working
with adidas and our Commercial Partner SPORTFIVE to develop unique engagement
programmes to enhance fan experiences, celebrate our diversity and continue
strengthening the unity of our ASEAN community of hundreds of millions through
the sport that unites us all.”
Seamus O’Brien, President and Chairman of the Board,
SPORTFIVE Asia, said: “SPORTFIVE has
enjoyed collaborating with adidas on football properties throughout the world
for decades. We are now delighted to
have formed this significant partnership between the AFF and adidas in ASEAN,
one of the world’s fastest growing consumer markets, where football is the
number one sport. As Official
Performance Partner, adidas brings the dynamic spirit of its brand and football
expertise which will undoubtedly help to elevate ASEAN football from the
grassroots to elite levels and ensure that its football community of players
and fans continues to thrive.”
The partnership was officiated today in a private signing ceremony at Sunway Resort Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, attended by distinguished guests including Thibault Durand, Senior Vice President & General Manager for adidas South East Asia, Major General Khiev Sameth, President, AFF, Winston Lee, General Secretary, AFF, Seamus O’Brien, President and Chairman of the Board, SPORTFIVE Asia, as well as icons of ASEAN football Steffi Sidhu Kaur, Captain of the Malaysian Women’s National Football Team, Nicholas Swirad, Centre-back for the Kuala Lumpur City FC, Irfan Bachdim, former striker for the Indonesian Men’s National Team and the legendary Safee Sali, former Captain of the Malaysian Men’s National Football Team.
The 2024 editions
of the official match balls for the Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024™ and Shopee
Cup™ season 2024/25 were also unveiled today.
Check out ASEAN United FC's social media channels @aseanutdfc on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and X.