SportExcel get ringgit boost from PanGlobal

22/12/2001

PANGLOBAL Insurance yesterday became the latest Charter Members of
SportExcel with a three-year pledge of RM45,000 and also sponsor the Grand
Finals of the SportExcel Junior golf on Dec 27-28 at Kelab Golf Negara
Subang.
PanGlobal Insurance CEO Edwin Wong said they decided to become a charter
member after reading SportExcel's plight in TimeSport.
"We share a common goal with SportExcel, that is nurturing world class
sportsmen for Malaysia. So when we read about SportExcel's difficulty in
securing Charter Members, we came in wholeheartedly," said Wong.
PanGlobal Insurance (PGIB) are no strangers to sport and they have
sponsored Malaysia's first Formula One driver Alex Yoong to realise his
dreams.
"PGIB has until now, been extensively involved in extreme sports, in
particular motor sports and were the official sponsors of the Arrows F1
team during the inaugural Malaysian Grand Prix in 1999.
"But our latest involvement with SportExcel signals our entry into the
sponsorship of mainstream sport and we aim to make a lasting impression,"
said Wong.
SportExcel chairman Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja'afar was received a
mock cheque of RM45,000 from PlanGlobal at a simple ceremony at the Royal
Selangor Club in Bukit Kiara yesterday.
"I am very happy that PanGlobal has decided to become a Charter Member
of SportExcel and they have given us a bonus by sponsoring the Grand
Finals of the golf circuit at the end of the month.
"The junior golf circuit was a pioneering effort by SportExcel and when
we initiated it 10 years ago, it was with a dream of providing junior
players from all over the country with an organised platform to polish
their skills through a sustained period of competition," said Tunku Imran.
The members of the Malaysian team which recently won the Sea Games gold
were all SportExcel graduates.
"Our under-15 golf representatives have also made the nation proud by
winning the Hong Kong Junior Open titles for the past five consecutive
years.
"Ben Leong, who won an Amateur Open at the age of 13, and will be
pursuing his golfing career at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in
Florida next year is also a fine example of SportExcel's success at the
junior level," said Tunku Imran.
Eighty-one juniors, ranging from eight to 18, will play in the Grand
Finals after making an impression in the five legs of the tournament over
the year.
In the Boys' Under-18 category, champion Khor Kheng Hwai will find it
tough to defednd his crown as he is expected to be keenly challenged by
Leong and Kemarol Baharin Huda who have been playing well in the five legs
leading into the Grand Finals.
jugjet@nstp.com.my
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