KUALA LUMPUR — Chelsea football legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will headline The Famous CFC fan engagement event in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 30 and 31, as part of the club’s partnership with The Ascott Limited (Ascott).
The fifth edition of the international fan event, organised by Ascott as Chelsea Football Club’s Official Hotels Partner, will feature exclusive meet-and-greet sessions and fan activities at Ascott Kuala Lumpur and Ascott Star KLCC Kuala Lumpur.
The programme will also include a watch party featuring a live screening of the Premier League clash between Chelsea and Manchester United from Stamford Bridge.
Hasselbaink, a former Chelsea striker, has a special connection with Malaysia, having been part of the Chelsea side that won the FA Premier League Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur in 2003.
He scored 87 goals in 177 appearances for Chelsea and won the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2000-01 season after scoring 23 league goals.
Ascott Chief Commercial Officer Tan Bee Leng said the event had helped strengthen the connection between Chelsea supporters, guests and Ascott Star Rewards (ASR) members.
“Whether it is meeting Chelsea legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, enjoying behind-the-scenes access, or sharing unforgettable moments with fellow fans, the energy, camaraderie and excitement created by these events have transformed stay experiences at Ascott properties into something far more personal and memorable,” she said.
She said Kuala Lumpur was a natural next stop for The Famous CFC, given Ascott’s strong presence in Malaysia, with more than 50 properties nationwide.
Chelsea Football Club Director of Partnerships Alex Smith said the partnership with Ascott provided opportunities for supporters around the world to meet, share experiences and celebrate their connection with the club.
“We’re delighted to bring The Famous CFC to Kuala Lumpur, a city with such a passionate Chelsea following. Along with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, we look forward to creating more unforgettable moments with our fans and celebrating the strength of the Chelsea community,” he said.
Hasselbaink said returning to Kuala Lumpur would be special as he had previously visited the city during Chelsea’s participation in the 2003 FA Premier League Asia Cup.
“Reliving those memories will be special, but what excites me most is meeting our fans in Kuala Lumpur, a city where the passion of the Blues always comes alive,” he said.
He added that he had experienced Ascott’s hospitality in Hanoi earlier this year and looked forward to another memorable experience with Chelsea supporters in Kuala Lumpur.
Specially curated packages for The Famous CFC Kuala Lumpur are available exclusively to ASR members on a limited, first-come, first-served basis. The packages combine ASR points redeemable for stays at participating properties in Malaysia with fan experiences, including direct access to Hasselbaink.
According to the release, The Famous CFC has previously been held in major Southeast Asian cities including Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta and Hanoi.
