Proton signs sponsorship deal with First Division Norwich City

BY TAN KAH PENG

NORWICH: Proton cars will get national exposure in Britain in the next English football season following a three-year sponsorship deal with First Division Norwich City.  

Proton chief executive officer Tengku Mahaleel Ariff told The Star yesterday that with some 35,000 club supporters in the country, the sponsorship would give Proton cars the awareness and recognition they presently lacked.  

The seven-figure deal, which is the biggest sponsorship in the club's history, was signed yesterday between Tengku Mahaleel and Roger Munby, the club chairman.  

As part of the agreement, the club, popularly known as the Canaries, would carry the Proton logo on its traditional yellow and green colours and the away kit in racing green would bear the Lotus brand.  

Tengku Mahaleel, who declined to divulge the amount involved, said the deal offered Proton the opportunity to cement ties with the local community as the Lotus plant was situated in nearby Hethel.  

LOOKING GOOD: Smith posing with players iwan Roberts (left) and Gary Holt whose new jerseys carry the Proton logo at the club grounds.

“What better way to do this than through football as we are the biggest investor in Norfolk,'' he said. “Perhaps this sponsorship is a good platform for us to bring both our communities closer together and also our companies and the people. 

“Who knows, we may even introduce Malaysian cuisine,” he said referring to club director Delia Smith, who is a famous TV chef here. 

A Proton spokesman said club members would be given a discount if they purchased Proton cars. 

Mumby described the deal as unique as it offered both clubs various business opportunities to explore such as investments in the Far East.  

“Proton has invested heavily both in Lotus and Norfolk and our relationship with them is designed to be mutually beneficial,” said Andrew Cullen, the club's sales and marketing director.  

 

“For our part we are determined to play a major role in helping the Proton brand throughout Britain. The club has been fortunate to enjoy an outstanding level of support.”  

 

Norwich finished the current league in eighth position, just missing the play-off for a place in the English Premier League next season.