Cycling

TSG riding high

WHILE many sports teams and associations are struggling for funding due to Covid-19, Terengganu Polygon Cycling Team (TSG) have hit new heights as far as sponsorship is concerned.

The Kuala Terengganu-based team have secured a healthy RM9.3 million in sponsorship from 18 different entities for this season, which is the most they have achieved since their formation in 2011.

While the UCI continental team continue to receive support from the Terengganu state government, private sector sponsorship has been on the rise.

Indonesian bike manufacturer, Polygon has come onboard as title sponsor this year, while the team continue to be supported by cycling equipment brands such as Shimano, Pro, Garmin, iSports and Lazer, among others.

TSG chief executive officer Che Ku Izmuddin Izmuddin Che Ku Mahmood said it takes a concerted effort to not only attract sponsors but also retain them in the long term.

"We are very grateful to receive strong support despite the challenging situation the world is facing at the moment," said Che Ku told Timesport yesterday.

"This RM9.3 million figure is from a combination of cash, goods (equipment) and also services (such as hotel accommodation and medical support) that we receive from our sponsors.

"We had achieved roughly RM7 million a few years ago before the pandemic, but this comfortably exceeds that.

"It takes a lot of effort to convince sponsors, and there is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes.

"You need good results if you want brands to associate themselves with you, and to achieve this (results), you need to groom your team well and give them the support they need.

"It is also important to have a wide appeal, and this is why we have (foreign) riders from almost every continent in the team. We also try and race in many countries across different continents.

"This has allowed us to secure more international sponsors. We are very pleased to welcome Polygon (Indonesia) as title sponsors this year.

"It is also important to show commitment to your sponsors. In addition to using and promoting their products, it is also important to invite them to be more involved in your programmes.

"This will strengthen their confidence in your team. If sponsors are not treated well, they will not stay for very long.

"We at TSG are grateful to have the continued support of long-term sponsors such as Shimano, who have been with us from the start."

Besides eight local riders, the TSG squad this year also feature seven foreigners from Eritrea, Algeria, Netherlands, Mongolia, Singapore, Indonesia and Ukraine.

Climbers Jamal Hibatullah (Indonesia) and Anatolii Budiak (Ukraine) are the new signings for this season.

Budiak replaces former Le Tour de Langkawi yellow-jersey winner Artem Ovechkin, who has returned to Russia to start a youth programme.

TSG, who ended last season as the top-ranked team in the UCI Asia Tour, have lined up plans to race in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Rwanda next month.

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