Interest in the Malaysian football scene continues to be on the rise, as enthusiastic fans were recently furious that Jay Chou’s recent concert caused shortened seating capacity at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium for the AFF Mitsubishi Football Cup semi-final game between Malaysia and Thailand.
To give fans comprehensive coverage of Liga Malaysia competitions in HD, Astro has sealed a deal with the Malaysian Football League (MFL) to become their official broadcaster from 2023 to 2025. This includes domestic matches of the Perlawanan Sumbangsih (Piala Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah), Liga Super, Piala FA, and Piala Malaysia of the upcoming season that begins on 24 February.
Sports fans across Malaysia can look forward to catching coverage of local football leagues from live games to updates on players and coaches and the latest football news on Astro GO.
Fans can immerse themselves in the world of football with exclusive programmes including match analysis by pundits, pre-match press conferences, live training sessions, player access interviews, behind-the-scenes shows, match highlights, and much more.
Dato’ Ab Ghani Hassan, President of MFL, said: "MFL’s renewed partnership with Astro is a sign that Liga Malaysia is gaining more attraction and will further increase the profile of the league and the clubs that are competing. MFL has taken a big step when partnering with Astro, a well-known and respected broadcaster in promoting local football.
He continued, “On behalf of MFL, I am very grateful to Astro for taking this step with us as we believe that with 14 elite teams competing in Liga Super and the creation of Piala MFL (Liga Simpanan) for players under 23 years old through the restructuring of Liga Malaysia, local fans can look forward to more excitement."
Astro will also host exciting on-ground activities that will provide the opportunity for fans to experience their favourite sport on another level. Astro customers can even enjoy special rewards such as invitations to live games at the stadiums and opportunities to meet the players.
There was no mention of the total sum of the deal, but a large sum of that money is expected to be distributed to participating football clubs, some of which still struggle to pay the wages of their footballers.
In recent news, it was revealed that the amount that Sarawak United FC owed its players was to the tune of more than RM400,000. Melaka United’s players were also said to be enduring difficulties after going six months without pay as the clubs' unpaid wages totalled RM2.3 million.
Saying No to Piracy
Watching these matches on legal broadcasting channels will also serve to curb illegal online streaming that also causes the MFL to lose out on earning revenue and prevent them from elevating the standards of local football.
MFL chief executive officer Stuart Ramalingam spoke about the MFL’s aspirations to rise to international standards to the platform Twentytwo13, saying that “These things are going to be measured against international products, and rightfully so.
Our priority is to increase the value and revenue for the teams. When matches are offered for free on YouTube, only YouTube makes money.”
Revised Kick-Off Times
The MFL has also revealed that kick-off times had been revised; late matches had prevented parents from bringing their children to cheer on together with the games and would also help to open up match day revenue.
Some M-League matches this season will start as early as 4.30 pm and 4.45 pm for Sabah and Sarawak and between 5.15 pm and 5.30 pm for teams who are based in the peninsula.
Two existing kick-off times, 8.15 pm and 9.00 pm for areas in Peninsular Malaysia and 7.30 pm and 8.15 pm for Sabah and Sarawak would be retained. During the Ramadhan month, matches will start at 10.00 pm in the peninsula and at 9.15 pm at Sabah and Sarawak.
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