RM110,000 shot in arm for MCA

01/05/1998

THE National Cricket League and Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) Cup
yesterday received another shot in the arm from Carlsberg Malaysia, who
handed over RM110,000, their seventh sponsorship in as many years.
After handing in the cheque at the Olympic Council of Malaysia
yesterday, Carlsberg managing director Datuk Jorgen Bornhoft said since
Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja'afar took over the MCA presidency, the
cricket scene in the country has undergone a tremendous change.
"The successful hosting of the ICC Trophy and Super 8s championships is
refletive of MCA's strong organisational ability and their commitment to
promoting and bringing it to the forefront of Malaysian sports," said
Bornhoft.
The Malaysian cricket team recently took part in the Ramzan Cup in
Karachi and the Wills Cup in Lahore as part of their preparations for the
Commonwealth Games.
And while the team are not expected to cause any upsets among the Test
playing nations at the Games, Tunku Imran sees it more as an avenue to
prepare a base to make Malaysia a Test playing nation by the year 2020.
"When the Sports Minister asked me how Malaysia would fare in the '98
Games, I told him we will finish fifth and the Minister was pleasantly
surprised," quipped Tunku Imran.
As the top four teams will make the semifinals and there won't be
playoffs for the other positions, Malaysia would naturally finish fifth in
the losers pool.
Tunku Imran believes what he saw in the recent Malaysia Games to be the
future of cricket in Malaysia.
"Cricket used to be synonymous with the Indians in Malaysia but that is
no longer the case. At the Malaysia Games there was a balanced mix of
Chinese and Malays and cricketers from Sabah and Sarawak. I see this
healthy mix as a good future for the sport."
On preparations of cricket venues for the Games, Tunku Imran said the
Kilat Club and Bukit Kiara venues are ready while only minor work needs to
be done at the other venues.
The World Super 8s will be held on July 17-19 in KL.
(END)