ID :
23521
Thu, 10/09/2008 - 17:18
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/23521
The shortlink copeid
DRAWING TOURISTS, STRENGTHENING ECONOMIC GROWTH THROUGH SPORTS TOURISM
KUALA TERENGGANU (Malaysia), Oct 9 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government will step up efforts to boost sports tourism events to draw more tourists as well as serve as a catalyst for national economic growth, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said Thursday.
He said state governments should promote sports tourism events as they had
a
major positive impact on the inflow of tourists and the national
economy.
"It costs a lot for one minute of air time over paid channels such as ESPN
and CNN. However, with sports such as the FEI-World Endurance Championship (WEC)
2008 being broadcast for about 30 minutes, the returns are tremendous," he said.
"Terengganu stands to gain from the huge spillover from this sports and we
will carry out such efforts which can contribute to national economic growth,"
he said at the launch of the countdown for WEC 2008 and the state Hari Raya
Aidilfitri reception at the state sports complex in Gong Badak near in east
coast of Terengganu state in Peninsular Malaysia.
Najib was accompanied by his wife, Rosmah Mansor. Also present at
the function were Terengganu Chief Minister Datuk Ahmad Said and Youth and
Sports Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Najib said the presence of 150 participants from 34 countries as well as
foreign media representatives at the four-day event would have a major positive
effect on the people of Terengganu and the rest of Malaysia as well.
"The hosting of this sport will place Terengganu on the calendar of
equestrian events. I understand that Terengganu was selected as the host more so
due to the keen interest of the nation's No. 1 rider, the King (Tuanku Mizan
Zainal Abidin, who is the Sultan of Terengganu)," he said.
He also said that Terengganu would have a place among the list of hosts of
similar events around the world, including in Germany, France, the United Arab
Emirates, Argentina and the United States.
Najib praised the efforts of the Terengganu government in obtaining several
endurance race horses and adopting several schools in Kuala Terengganu to
provide equestrian facilities to promote the sport among the people.
It is hoped that these efforts would make Terengganu a hub for endurance
sports and produce a world champion one day, he added.
The WEC 2008 will be held from Nov 6 to 9 at the Terengganu International
Endurance Park in Lembah Bidong, Setiu.
He said state governments should promote sports tourism events as they had
a
major positive impact on the inflow of tourists and the national
economy.
"It costs a lot for one minute of air time over paid channels such as ESPN
and CNN. However, with sports such as the FEI-World Endurance Championship (WEC)
2008 being broadcast for about 30 minutes, the returns are tremendous," he said.
"Terengganu stands to gain from the huge spillover from this sports and we
will carry out such efforts which can contribute to national economic growth,"
he said at the launch of the countdown for WEC 2008 and the state Hari Raya
Aidilfitri reception at the state sports complex in Gong Badak near in east
coast of Terengganu state in Peninsular Malaysia.
Najib was accompanied by his wife, Rosmah Mansor. Also present at
the function were Terengganu Chief Minister Datuk Ahmad Said and Youth and
Sports Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Najib said the presence of 150 participants from 34 countries as well as
foreign media representatives at the four-day event would have a major positive
effect on the people of Terengganu and the rest of Malaysia as well.
"The hosting of this sport will place Terengganu on the calendar of
equestrian events. I understand that Terengganu was selected as the host more so
due to the keen interest of the nation's No. 1 rider, the King (Tuanku Mizan
Zainal Abidin, who is the Sultan of Terengganu)," he said.
He also said that Terengganu would have a place among the list of hosts of
similar events around the world, including in Germany, France, the United Arab
Emirates, Argentina and the United States.
Najib praised the efforts of the Terengganu government in obtaining several
endurance race horses and adopting several schools in Kuala Terengganu to
provide equestrian facilities to promote the sport among the people.
It is hoped that these efforts would make Terengganu a hub for endurance
sports and produce a world champion one day, he added.
The WEC 2008 will be held from Nov 6 to 9 at the Terengganu International
Endurance Park in Lembah Bidong, Setiu.
