KUCHING: AFFIN Group has officially been appointed as the Official Banking Partner of Kuching City FC (KCFC), in line with the club’s efforts to expand its presence from the Malaysian football arena to the ASEAN and Asian stages.

The partnership will enable AFFIN to strengthen its relationship with customers, businesses and communities in Sarawak, while creating new opportunities to engage with the growing network of Kuching City FC supporters and business partners.

The strategic agreement signing ceremony was witnessed by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg and involved AFFIN Group President and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Wan Razly Abdullah and KCFC Chief Executive Officer Iswandi Ali Hassan at AFFIN’s Regional and Corporate Office at Hikmah Exchange here on Friday.

In his speech, the Sarawak Premier said the collaboration marked an important milestone for both organisations, particularly in strengthening their respective names and positions in the football and banking industries.

“Today is an important occasion between AFFIN and KCFC. Therefore, I hope that through this collaboration, we will achieve success both on the football field and in the banking sector,” he said.

He added that as Sarawak continues to advance within the regional economy through industries such as green energy, banking and finance would serve as catalysts for the development of the Land of the Hornbills across all sectors, further elevating the state’s position at the ASEAN and Asian levels.

According to him, this would certainly open up many opportunities for Sarawak to progress further in various sectors and industries, including football.

The partnership was sealed ahead of KCFC’s debut appearance in the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ 2026/2027, while the club has also qualified for the AFC Champions League Two 2026/2027, providing opportunities to compete against leading clubs from Southeast Asia and across Asia.

Meanwhile, the collaboration is also aligned with AFFIN’s Axelerate 2028 Plan, which focuses on customer service, digital leadership and impactful responsible banking.

KCFC provides a platform to realise these aspirations by connecting AFFIN with one of Sarawak’s most passionate sporting communities, while creating opportunities for customer engagement, expanding financial inclusion and supporting community development.

Also present were Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Political Secretary to the Sarawak Premier and KCFC Executive Chairman Dato Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, Sarawak Accountant General and AFFIN Board Member Datu Elean Masa’at, AFFIN Board Member Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, as well as other distinguished guests. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Ahmad Daniel Faiz
Photos: Ibanez Jeffery
Translator: Uilson Ng