Nguyen Tien Minh has become one of Viet Nam's richest athletes, signing a lucrative VND1 billion (US$47,600) a year sponsorship deal with Kawasaki Group.

HA NOI (VNS)—Nguyen Tien Minh has become one of Viet Nam's richest athletes, signing a lucrative VND1 billion (US$47,600) a year sponsorship deal with Kawasaki Group.

The Japanese company will also cover the star athlete's travelling and accomodation expenses for the next 10 international tournaments.

The windfall adds to VND25 million-50 million Minh receives from Becamex Binh Duong each month, depending on his world ranking, and a monthly salary of VND15 million, paid by the HCM City Sport Department.

The world No 6 can pocket up to VND2 billion each year, putting him just behind the nation's top paid football players.

Minh will next week take part in the Denmark Open and play No 17, Chong Wei Feng, from Malaysia. – VNS