Malaysian Match Racing Circuit Receives
Endorsement from World Match
Racing Tour
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept. 6,
2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The Malaysian Yachting Association (MYA)
has been successful in its bid to gain endorsement for the
Malaysian Match Racing Circuit from the World Match Racing Tour
(WMRT) after a series of meetings with The WMRT Development
Council.
The MYA, represented by Hj. Lukman B. Abu Bakar, Deputy President
and Dato' Wan Hisham Wan Salleh, Vice President, had two days of
intensive meetings with The WMRT Development Council over two days
at the St. Moritz Match Race, Switzerland. During this time, they
presented Malaysia's proposal for the sanctioning of a Malaysian
Match Racing Circuit by The WMRT Development Council.
"We are very excited to have
received this endorsement for the Malaysian Match Racing Circuit
from the WMRT. We are at the start of a journey that will see the
Malaysian sailors elevated beyond a point not previously possible,"
said Hj. Lukman, Deputy President of Malaysian Yachting
Association.
The WMRT Development Council has
provided strict guidelines for the MYA to adhere to, ensuring the
standards of the Malaysian Match Racing Circuit measure up to the
WMRT's World Championship standards. This strategic alliance will
see the WMRT share its technical and sporting knowledge, commercial
strategies and development framework for officials and umpires with
the MYA.
Jim O' Toole, CEO of WMRT,
commented: "The World Match Racing Tour Development Council was set
up to help develop new sailing talents and we hope to realise that
vision by partnering with proactive governing bodies. After
reviewing the detailed submissions and presentations we are
delighted to formally endorse the MYA and its plans for the
Malaysian Match Racing Circuit as we believe their competition
framework will nurture the future growth in sailing across
Malaysia. We look forward to working closely with the M YA to
ensure the success of the Malaysian Match Racing Circuit which we
hope will become a pathway for Malaysian sailors aspiring to
compete on the Tour."
Among key areas highlighted and
discussed were the commercial aspects of a match racing circuit.
Sailing provides a unique platform for businesses to come together
and associate their brand with a healthy and challenging sport that
is not solely focused on physical strength, but also on skill and
tactical thinking.
The Malaysian Match Racing Circuit
will also open doors for the development and training of race
officials and umpires locally. Currently, international sailing
events like the Monsoon Cup depend on race officials and umpires
from neighbouring countries like Australia and New Zealand due to
the lack of ISAF certified officials within the country. With a
local circuit that is active for most of the year, the officials
will now accumulate enough hours of on-water training needed to
receive ISAF's certification.
The Circuit will be incorporated
within the already successful KFC Regatta in Langkawi, Lumut Perak
and Selangor, culminating in the Malaysian Match Racing
Championship, the qualifiers for the Monsoon Cup, in Pulau Duyong,
Terengganu.
Hj. Lukman commented "A keelboat
class circuit will provide local sailors with the avenue and
opportunities to continuously train and compete professionally in
the match racing discipline, harnessing their full potential and
preparing them for international events."
He added: "We have our work cut out
between now and February 2012 when we plan to launch the first
event of the Malaysian Match Racing Circuit. We are hopeful of
garnering the support of our partners KFC, the Ministry of Youth
and Sports and T-Best Events to ensure the success of this
Circuit."
About Malaysian Yachting
Association
The Malaysian Yachting Association
was formed in 1997 to elevate Malaysia's reputation in the world's
yachting arena by training and sponsoring young talents and
organising sporting events to help sailors progress in their
sailing career. The association also aims to create a platform for
marine-related businesses to flourish and boost the marine industry
in Malaysia.
SOURCE Malaysian Yachting
Association