April 23, 2005
© Asiapromote Ventures Sdn. Bhd.
The FEI (Federation Equestrian International) World Cup Final Jumping is finally going to Asia. For the first time the Final will truly be a global event.
Asiapromote Ventures Sdn. Bhd., the organisers, announced during the press conference in Las Vegas, that Malaysia is the first Asian country to be awarded the privilege to host this prestigious event in April 2006.
“The press conference was a huge success. Our media presentation and trade booth garnered immense interest from both the international media and equestrian lovers. Journalists who attended the KL Grand Prix CSI 5* in Malaysia last year spoke highly of our professionalism during the press conference. This definitely helps us in establishing our credibility with the rest of the media,” said Wan Zaleha Radzi, Co-Principal, Asiapromote Ventures.
John Roche, Jumping Manager of FEI praised Malaysia for her well-developed infrastructure and sporting facilities and said that Malaysia also has the added advantage of strong government support and the wheels of the government machinery are set in motion for such events.
“I believe that the inclusion of Kuala Lumpur as a World Cup Final venue fulfils one of the objectives of FEI to spread the top sport outside Western Europe and the USA. From the immense success and the worldwide impact of the KL Grand Prix CSI 5* in 2003 and 2004, FEI is extremely confident that Asiapromote Ventures encompasses the capability and expertise to make the World Cup Final Jumping a success in Asia,“ he added.
Zaleha adds that the 2006 World Cup Final will change the landscape of equestrian sports in the region as more riders will pursue excellence in the sport and hope to qualify for a place next year.
“This is indeed an opportunity for the development of equestrian sports in Asia, and the ideal platform to turn it into a mainstream sporting activity for everyone,” she says.
From the desert to the “Jungle in the City”, Peter Winton, Co-principal, Asiapromote Ventures said that Las Vegas will be a hard act to follow but the team will put in their best to make the 2006 KL World Cup Final Jumping the greatest Final ever.
The FEI World Cup Final is the highest level of all equestrian competitions, which has participants from 15 equestrian leagues and attracts spectators from around the world.