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SCMP Reporter

HONG KONG soccer received another major cash boost yesterday when sportswear giants adidas announced a $3 million deal with the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA).

  The adidas deal followed hot on the heels of Wednesday's $10 million sponsorship deal with local brewery San Miguel.

  Adidas, who are the sponsors of local First Division sides South China, Eastern and newly-promoted Mansion, will further expand their interests by sponsoring all First Division League matches, the Senior Challenge Shield, FA Cup and Interport tournaments.

  The deal will involve adidas supplying the Hong Kong League XI with team strips and boots for the Interport tournaments and the Lunar New Year Carlsberg Cup.

  All HKFA referees, linesmen and ballboys will be kitted out by adidas and FIFA-approved balls will also be supplied.

  The 1996 HKFA summer coaching scheme and some youth development programmes will also be sponsored.

  Guy Horne, the sales and marketing director of ISL Asia Pacific, HKFA's marketing partner, said yesterday that sportswear was the only category under the HKFA Partner Programme that would clash with the First Division clubs' own sponsors.

  'I think the HKFA needs a sportswear sponsor under the HKFA Partner Programme,' said Horne.

  'Adidas have been sponsoring three clubs out of ten and it is the least conflicting brand name compared with other sportswear.'   Horne said that there would be two more sponsorship deals announced within the next fortnight.

  Meanwhile, Uhlsport-Rangers' received an Asian Cup Winners' Cup boost yesterday when their second-round opponents Yokohama Flugels confirmed that they would be unable to send their strongest squad to the territory for the first-leg encounter on October 10.

  The J.League side's two national players - flying winger Masakiyo Maezono and midfielder Motohiro Yamaguchi, Brazilians Zinho, Evair and Sampaio have all been selected for a charity match between the Japanese All-Stars and a J.League select, featuring the league's star expats, on the same night as Flugels' match at the Hong Kong Stadium.

  But Rangers' plan to invite Singapore star striker Fandi Ahmad to boost their forward line for the clash has been foiled. The Singapore Football Association have told Fandi he is needed for a three-team tournament in Iran which starts on October 13.



Sportswear giants' $3m cash boost