Zaba `the Ironman' behind the scene

21/01/2001

PHYSICALLY, he is not built like an endurance athlete, but when the soft-
spoken Zaba Aman began talking about the Ironman Malaysia Triathlon, he
transformed into an incredible hulk.
If points were awarded for passion and dedication towards organising the
Ironman Triathlon on Jan 28, then Zaba, deputy chairman of LIEM (Langkawi
Ironman) would win hands down.
The quest to bring Ironman to Malaysia started in 1996 and, Zaba,
together with LIEM president and Chief Executive Director Datuk Sri Ram
Sharma, went to Germany, Switzerland, Cheju Island (South Korea), Hawaii
and Australia to set up booths and sell Langkawi as another haven for the
event.
Inevitably, the most asked question was: Where is Langkawi?
After four years of canvassing and setting up hospitality booths at
various countries, they finally secured a 10-year franchise from World
Triathlon Corporation (WTC) to host one leg of the circuit every year.
TimeSport's Jugjet Singh spoke with Zaaba on the present and future of
Ironman in Malaysia.
Q: Ironman is not a stadium sport where tickets can be sold and profit
made, so why select this event?
A: We are not into it to make a quick buck. Our commitment is long term
as we have secured a 10-year franchise from the WTC to host a leg of the
circuit every year.
We are more into it because it is a healthy sport where the runners do
not smoke or drink alcohol, in fact they spend most of their free time
training and eating healthy food.
It is a sport where the human mind pushes the body to its limit to
strive for excellence. This relates to the common man who `breaks his
back' daily to place food on the dinner table.
For the 2001 Langkawi Ironman, we have received 330 entries worldwide
out of which only 30 are professionals, the rest range from elite age
groups to determined weekend warriors who squeeze in strange hours of the
day and night to be in top shape by race day.
Q: You associated Ironman with the daily life of the man-on-the-street,
elobrate please.
A: The culture of Ironman is the strenght and ability to go the distance
when it matters most. Even when the body is unwilling, the mind must be
sharp enough to get up and continue with the mission until we cross the
`finish line'. It is like life itself because the first phase of swiming
is like our early life, the cycling stage is like the working years where
we strive to keep going and accomplish things. The finish is like our
retirement years where we can sit back and savour our accomplishments
after a gruelling life.
Q: Why select Langkawi for the event?
A: Hawaii was our model when we made the proposal so Langkawi was the
natural choice when we won the bid. We discovered that the Ironman focuses
tremendous national and international media attention on Hawaii, and it is
a known fact that, via television, it brings the event to the homes of
more than 200 million views worldwide.
A key element of Hawaii's success was its location, climate, beauty and
culture.
We have it all and more in Langkawi. Its exotic beauty is what we want
to show to the rest of the world via this sport-tourism. Facilities-wise,
Langkawi has the best with a good road system, reliable transportation,
world class hotels and the people are warm and friendly.
In the near future, we want to make the island paradise a household name
around the world.
Q: How is Langkawi and its people going to benefit from Ironman?
A: This is the only sport in the world where competitors pay for
everything, starting with the entrance fee of US$300 (RM1,140). The
competitors will also have to pay for their accommodation, air travel and
food.
Tickets are through Malaysia Airlines, we anticipate hotels to be fully
booked and since the athletes will arrive about 10 days before the race
and most will go sightseeing after the race proper, Langkawi is assured of
roaring business for 15 days at least.
Since it is an expensive sport, where the specially built bicycles cost
around RM10,00, the athletes have the spending power so Langkawai should
benefit.
(THE most recent statistics compiled by Hawaii's Department of Business,
Econimic Development and Tourism show that Ironman generates US$14.9
million in direct sales to out-of-State visitors specifically travelling
to the Big Island for the annual event. Not included in this figure are
the millions the event brings the State in television exposure and visitor
travel throughout the rest of the year).
Q: This year, you have 330 athletes competing. What would be the ideal
number if Langkawi wants to rival Hawaii in the near future?
A: The ideal number of athletes should be around 2,000 to 3,000 as this
will really generate income for the Island as all the facilities and rooms
will be fully booked because most athletes come with their families and
for some it is a vacation-cum-competition.
The first Ironman in Langkwai was held in May last year and we had about
100 athletes. After seven months of diligent promotions and planning, we
now have managed to convince 32 athletes from the United States to enter.
The US is very important because each year more than 2,500 triathlons are
held there alone, with a million people competing worldwide.
So the market is gigantic and even if we can tap a small percentage of
it, it will be a home run for sure. Tourism through sports is the in-thing
today and we hope to make this event a top revenue earner for Langkawi and
Malaysia.
Q: The race starts and ends at Dataran Helang. Can you elobrate briefly
on the swimming, cycling and running part? (see accompanying graphics).
A: The clock will start with the gun at 7am and run non-stop until the
end of the race which will officially end 17 hours later. Rest stops,
transitions etc will be included in the total elapsed time. In addition to
the 17-hour overall cut-off time, there are cut-off times for each segment
of the race.
The cut-off time for the swim segment (3.8km) is two hours and 20
minutes after the start and any competitor still in the water after this
will not be permitted to continue.
For the biking part (180.2km), the cut-off is 10 hours and 30 minutes
after the start. The length of marathon race is 42.2km and all three
segments must be completed within 17 hours.
The top runners normally finish in eight hours but for some of the
weekend-devils, 17 hours will not be enough as many will find the route
too gruelling.
This 226.2km race will test their physical limits, and take them through
an unprecedented range of emotions.
Q: Since you have a 10-year franchise, what are some of your future
plans to make the race more exciting?
A: The first race in May did not have a special segment for the disabled
athletes, this year we have included it and three disabled athletes have
confirmed their entries. Their determination and courage is simply awesome
and puts many an able bodied person to shame.
Over the years several physically challenged athletes have successfully
competed in the Ironman beginning in 1982. Heroes have emerged from the ranks including Joseph Raineri, a blind athlete from the US, who became
the first physically challenged athlete to complete the race. The first
deaf competitor, Michael Russo from New York, competed in 1984.
We also hope to hold two to three Half-Ironman around Malaysia to
familiarise locals with this endurance sport and toughen them enough to
compete in a full Ironman and maybe have a local champion in the near
future. Development programmes with coaching clinics are also in the
pipeline.
(END)