Vincent Tan thanks Sultan of Johor for support in helping Cardiff's return to the Premier League
Thursday, 7 Jun 20187:55 PM MYT
by lim teik huat
KUALA LUMPUR: Cardiff City team owner Tan Sri Vincent Tan revealed that the support of Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar helped the club made a successful push to get back into the top flight of English football.
The Malaysian business tycoon said the Sultan of Johor contributed a total of £3mil (RM16.04 mil) over the last three years.
Cardiff are back in the English Premier League again and Tan said he has no intention of changing the Visit Malaysia logo proudly displayed on their jerseys.
“My gratitude to the Sultan of Johor for agreeing to sponsor us. He is a business partner and I did mention to him that we need sponsorship at that time. Not many knew of this,” said Tan.
“I’m a Malaysian and I love my country. I would not change the Visit Malaysia logo and even the Sultan of Johor wants us to keep it that way,” said the business tycoon, adding that they hoped to get in touch with the new Minister of Tourism to discuss club sponsorship.
“I understand that Tourism Malaysia has a deal with footballer Luis Suarez (from Uruguay) but I don’t think he goes around saying he is our ambassador.
“We’re in Premier League now and there will be 4.8 billion people around the world watching, so I think there cannot be any better way to promote our country.
“The new Tourism Minister has not been announced yet but we hope to arrange for something later,” he added.
On his personal wish for Cardiff, Vincent hopes the club stays as long as possible in the Premier League.
“I’m very happy that Cardiff has earned promotion. The joke is always that we are a one-season wonder. I pray that we can stay up there for a long, long time.
“Being in the Premier League is so much different compared to the Championship ... financially it’s like heaven and hell,” he said.Cardiff completed a triumphant return to the Premier League on May 6, courtesy of a draw at home against Reading which sealed second place in the championship.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/06/07/vincent-tan-thanks-sultan-of-johor/#U7rJ3FGmVmyMH5rA.99
