KUALA TERENGGANU: Faeez Asry Yusoff is pint-sized, but he is a giant in Terengganu’s sports marketing and sponsorship landscape.
At a glance, Faeez, popularly-known by his nickname ‘Kobert’, bears a striking resemblance to Terengganu ruler Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin. That alone makes heads turn whenever the 32-year-old attends events.
But more importantly, self-made Faeez is recognised as the livewire which has kept the state’s sporting teams – including men’s and women’s hockey, the T-Team, the Terengganu FA and Terengganu Hanelang soccer, lawn bowling and sepak takraw – going for the last three years.
The ‘anak Terengganu’ (son of Terengganu) has become a mainstay in the state’s sports management machinery, which rakes in over RM2 million in sponsorship.
And Faeez has gone even further for himself – having designed and launched his own high-quality sportswear and accessories line under the ‘Kobert’ brand.
The name ‘Kobert’ is now ubiquitous on the chests of Terengganu sports jerseys.
“Since I was young, I had a passion for sports. Although not an athlete myself, I loved all sorts of sports, as it is entertaining and forges a close rapport among people from all levels.
“As a local-born, I wanted to give back to society in appreciation of the endeavours and sacrifices of the state’s sportsmen and women.
“Thus, I decided to sponsor the state’s teams,” said Faeez, whose is managing director of Bumiputera concern, Kobertbell Holdings Sdn Bhd.
The father of three established Kobertbell Marketing (M) Sdn Bhd in 2014 to oversee the sports sponsorship and marketing of his sportswear and accessories line.
Faeez’s primary business, however, is in oil and gas, through Kobertbell Engineering Sdn Bhd, which he established in 2009 to manage and supply a host of items and skilled manpower for companies like Petronas and Shell.
He is a long way from his days as a salesman peddling motorcycle parts after graduating as a civil engineer from Universiti Teknoloji Mara in Arau, Perlism in 2008.
Faeez’s initiatives have not only offered employment opportunities for hundreds of local youths, but opened avenues for scores of others to further their education. Because, as if he has not enough on his plate, Faeez also grooms secondary school students who pursue tertiary courses in controlled bolting and flange management, via a collaboration with the Terengganu Skills Development Centre (Tesdec).
“We offer courses for up to 100 students a year, to be equipped with the technical knowledge and know-how of the industry, so that they can undertake a career in the oil and gas industry,” he said.
Faeez’s plans are now to make Kobert an international niche brand, via collaborations with multinational organisations, to give value-added services to athletes.
“I want to make this Malaysian, specifically Terengganu, initiative of Kobert a household name in the world sporting arena.
“It’s a mammoth task, but I have plans to be involved in sports development of young boys and girls via the state’s sports council, schools and varsities to groom the future champions of the country,” said Faeez.
He is already looking at fully sponsoring Terengganu’s Malaysia Games contingent for next year’s competition in Perak.