Challenge to ignite fan excitement for World Cup

30/11/2001

THE 2002 Kuala Lumpur World Cup is just 86 days away but there is hardly
any excitement in the air.
On Feb 24, Kuala Lumpur will be the only city in the world to have
hosted the prestigious World Cup twice, the first being in 1975, but one
can be forgiven for not feeling the `fever' yet.
But all that, according to the Malaysia Hockey Federation, is set to
change in mid-December after the completion of the Champions Challenge.
"The Champions Challenge unexpectedly fell in our laps after India
agreed not to host it due to security reasons. So right now the MHF have
their hands full making sure the Challenge is organised smoothly.
"Ater the Champions Challenge ends on December 15, we will go full swing
into promoting the World Cup," said MHF secretary S. Satgunam yesterday.
MHF plans to go on a roadshow with the World Cup Trophy at the end of
the year but that is still subject to when the previous champions Holland
can deliver the Trophy to Malaysia.
"The MHF have written to Holland requesting for the World Cup Trophy and
are likely to receive it at the end of the year after which it will be
displayed at various states to promote the World Cup," said Satgunam.
Pakistan were the first country to lift the World Cup Trophy when they
won the first edition in 1971 in Barcelona and later went on to win the
World Cup in 1978 in Buenos Aires, 1982 in Bombay and 1994 in Sydney.
On ticket sales, many people have enquired about it but not many have
actually made purchases yet.
"Yes, the sale of tickets is a bit slow but there is nothing to worry
about because once we get the promotions going, sales are sure to pick up.
We have received many enquiries from overseas on bulk bookings and by the
look of things, there will be many foreigners coming down to support their
teams from February 24 to March 9," said Satgunam.
The cheapest ticket to watch one match in the KL World Cup is RM25
(behind both the goalposts) so it looks like the Malaysian public is still
adopting a wait-and-see atitude before making a commitment.
In addition to airing promotions in television and radios in January,
there will also be numerous quizes where the public can win tickets to
watch the World Cup.
"Since Malaysia will be hosting the World Cup for the second time, MHF
will make sure the athmosphere is really charged come February," said
Satgunam.
* jugjet@nstp.com.my
(END)