Lotto title sponsors for Ironman Langkawi

07/01/2002

LOTTO yesterday became the title sponsors for Ironman Langkawi Malaysia
with a sponsorship pledge of RM500,000.
The Ironman Langkawi Malaysia on Jan 27 will see the participation of
about 400 triathletes from all over the world and Langkawi Ironman
Endurance Marathon Sdn Bhd (Liem), the organisers of the event, are hoping
for more funds to make it bigger.
"We have enough sponsors for the moment but to make it a bigger and
better event in future, we will definately need more funding," said Liem
director Datuk Sri Ram Sharma yesterday.
The Cabinet have approved RM15 million for extreme sports but the
organisers of the Ironman are still in the dark if they come under the
category and are eligible for funds from the Sports Ministry.
"We have yet to receive any news from the Sports Ministry on the matter
but we hope that they will onsider funding the Ironman Langkawi Malaysia
because it is an event that promotes healthy living and receives worldwide
media attention," said Sri Ram.
Lotto were represented by sports zone chairman Datuk Aini Taib who said
it was a milestone for them.
"We (lotto) are more popularly known in soccer so today (yesterday) we
are atually breaking into new ground in Malaysia and hope our relationship
with the endurance sport will be a lasting one," said Aini.
Yesterday, volunteers who will help stage the eent in Langkawi attended
their first briefing.
"We have receied applcations from 800 volunteers to help us organise the
event in Langkawi. We have accepted all of them beause they will play an
important role in making sure the event runs smoothly," said Sri Ram.
The men's defending champion Bryan Rhodes from New Zealand and the
women's champion Belinda Cheney from Australia have confirmed
participation for the event which will include swimming (3.8km) cycling
(180.2km) and marathon (42.2km).
jugjet@nstp.com.my
(END)