Telekom hat-trick

21/11/2002

TELEKOM Malaysia yesterday signed a sponsorship agreement with First Cartel (M) Sdn Bhd to become the title sponsor of the Le Tour de Langkawi for the third straight year.
The race, scheduled for Jan 31-Feb 9, is now officially known as the
Telekom Malaysia Le Tour de Langkawi after a cheque presentation ceremony held at the Sports Ministry in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
"Telekom will sponsor the Tour to a tune of RM10 million. The breakdown is RM6 million in cash, RM2 million in kind and RM2 million for the live broadcast of the nationwide event," said First Cartel chairman Datuk Wan Lokman Wan Ibrahim.
Telekom has been the main sponsor of the event since its inception seven
years ago.
Signing the contract on behalf of Telekom was its deputy chief executive
Datuk Dr Abdul Rahim Daud and general manager (corporate affairs) Khairul Annuar Mohamed Zamzam.
First Cartel was represented by Wan Lokman and its executive director
Abdullah Kamal Shafi'i. Sports Minister Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein Onn and Telekom chairman Tan Sri Mohamed Radzi Mansor were also present.
"Telekom Malaysia's sponsorship has contributed significantly to the
development and success of the race since its inception in 1996. For next
year, the Tour has been accorded a status of 2.2 by UCI, the world's
governing body of cycling.
"With the upgrade, more Trade One teams will be eligible to compete and
the points awarded are also higher. Malaysia is the only nation in Asia to
be given the distinction of hosting such a highly-rated Tour which now
ranks alongside some of the biggest races on the UCI calendar. It is also
one of the world's richest Tours with total prize money of RM1.5 million,"
said Wan Lokman.
"Our ability to stage an outstanding Tour has resulted in the improved
rating next year. All this, however, would not have been possible without
the tremendous backing of Telekom Malaysia," said Wan Lokman.
The improved rating has already attracted the sport's big teams and
names including Lampre's Gabriele Missaglia and Rubens Bertogliati and Credit Agricole's star Stuart O'Grady.
"The eighth edition of the race, 10-stages in all, will cover a total of
1,343 kilometres and is scheduled to start in Langkawi with a time-trial
on Jan 31. The race will take riders to 10 States in the Peninsula with
the exception of Johor and Malacca," said Wan Lokman.
"With the telecasts, we hope to show the world that Malaysia is a safe
place to visit and is free from terrorist threats," said Wan Lokman.
"Following last year's successful live telecast, First Cartel, with
technical cooperation from United Kingdom-based VTV, ABC of Australia and RTM has taken a step forward to have the race shown live in Asia and Japan via J Sky Sport and ESPN Starsports. This development is a major boost for Malaysia."
As title sponsor, Telekom will also mobilise 500 of their staff to
become volunteers for the race.
"We will also donate 200 bicycles to less fortunate students who have
done well in their studies and excelled in sports. The bicycles will be
presented during the 10 stages and the students will be selected with help
from the Education Ministry," said Abdul Rahim.
(END)