No sponsor fears as Viceroy draw keeps holders and favourites apart

Soccer supremo Stewart Lee Leung-nang has allayed fears over the future of the Viceroy Cup, which was in jeopardy nine months ago when the Hong Kong Football Association and sponsors British-American Tobacco were locked in conflicts.

Problems had emerged after the HKFA decided to swap the dates of the popular tournament, which usually kicks off in March, to April and with this year's finals now scheduled for May 12.

Although the two parties eventually signed a one-year contract for the 27th edition of Hong Kong's longest-running soccer tournament, Lee said he expects the event will continue to be held in the coming years.

'It is the association's policy not to sign long contracts but BAT has been sponsoring the Viceroy Cup for 27 years.

'I don't think there should be any problem with their continuation,' said HKFA chairman Lee at yesterday's draw for this year's competition.

BAT officials also shrugged off the dispute and Dorian Burrows, the marketing services development manager for the Asia Pacific region, said: 'With all good partnerships, sometimes there are disagreements.

'But like all good partnerships, the disagreements can always come to agreements.' Meanwhile, defending champions Sing Tao have been put in the same half of the draw with last season's losing finalists Instant-Dict, and seeded in the bottom half are South China and Golden.