June 02, 2005
© Asiapromote Ventures Sdn. Bhd.
The world’s most prestigious and important equestrian sports event, the FEI World Cup Final Jumping, will be hosted by Malaysia -- the first country outside of Europe and the United States to stage this event – next year with participants coming in from more than 71 countries.
Malaysia will join the international ranks in the world of equestrian sports when it becomes the first Asian country to host the FEI World Cup Final Jumping to be held from 26 to 30 April next year.
For the past 27 years, Europe and the United States of America have held the duopoly on the World Cup Final Jumping event.The 2006 FEI World Cup Final Jumping is an important milestone for equestrian sports in Malaysia and Asia, one which will give riders in this region an opportunity to compete at the world’s most important jumping event.
In the last decade, Malaysia has made its mark in the sporting world and demonstrated its capability, professionalism and expertise in organising and managing such prestigious world-class events as the 5-star KL Grand Prix, the Petronas F1 Grand Prix, and the 1998 Commonwealth Games.The theme for the event, “the Pinnacle of Power and Grace,” encapsulates the dynamic spirit of equestrian sports with the grace of the Malaysian people and their culture. The horse, the rider and Malaysia unite the two elements perfectly.
Asiapromote Ventures, the organisers of the event in Malaysia, earned kudos from the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) for its outstanding organisational skills in staging the KL Grand Prix CSI 5-star in 2003 and 2004.“Selecting Kuala Lumpur as the venue for the next World Cup fulfils one of the FEI’s goals in widening the appeal of equestrian sports outside the sphere of Western Europe and the USA,” states Peter Imran Winton, Co-Principal, Asiapromote Ventures.
Hosting the 2006 FEI World Cup Final Jumping is widely acknowledged as another feather in the cap for the Malaysian government’s efforts in promoting sports tourism in the country.“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our young riders and national riders not just to watch the ultimate event live, but to compete in special classes in the world’s most important equestrian event. This will be a catalyst for our riders to pursue excellence,” adds Wan Zaleha Radzi, Co-Principal, Asiapromote Ventures.
She believes that the event will change the landscape for equestrian sports in the region as more riders enter the sport in the hope of qualifying for a placing in next year’s event in Kuala Lumpur. As this is a skill-based sport it is not impossible for our riders to aim for an Olympic medal.As the host country, Malaysia can nominate two riders in the World Cup Final, paving the way for Malaysians to compete on an international level in the equestrian sporting arena.
“We’re confident the 2006 FEI World Cup Final Jumping will be a resounding success with the support of the government and potential sponsors,” says Zaleha. “It’s a chance to once again put Malaysia on the world map and to put on display the various facets of our multicultural wonders.”
The 2006 FEI World Cup Final Jumping will be held at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur from 26 to 30 April next year.