Kelantan FA Considering Withdrawing From '17 MSL Due To Lack Of Sponsor Support

Malaysia Super League side Kelantan is "considering the possibility of withdrawing" from the '17 season should it fail to secure a sponsor before the new year kicks off on Jan 20., according to Nicolas Anil of ESPN.com. Cosmetics tycoon Datuk Seri Hasmiza Othman, also known as Dr. Vida, is "understood to have halted her two-year sponsorship deal," worth RM 16M ($3.6M), which leaves the Red Warriors "in limbo." Vida had "up to 50 clauses" when she bought the team before the '16 season, "including painting the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium pink." She is understood to have been "frustrated with the lack of financial returns associated with running an MSL team." Her decision "leaves the future of the East Coach giants in serious jeopardy," with the state government also reportedly not willing to fund the state side. Kelantan reportedly needs at least RM 15M ($3.4M) to run the club for the '17 season (ESPN.com, 12/10).