ID :
148215
Mon, 11/01/2010 - 09:50
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/148215
The shortlink copeid
SUCCESS OF GOLF WILL FOSTER DEVELOPMENT OF OTHER SECTORS AS WELL
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 1 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Razak said golf in Malaysia was now at the tipping point and would foster the development of business, facilities and tour packages that would promote both the country and the game.
The Prime Minister said given the financial affluence of golfers as a lifestyle group and their propensity for international travel, there was also a strong business case for promoting Malaysia as a golf destination.
"After all we have the resources, the facilities and the passion to make Malaysia a world class destination for golfing.
"Golf is also a sport that embodies many of the qualities I have been speaking on a regular basis. In 1Malaysia, we talk about strength, meritocracy, equality and success - all elements that are in the DNA of this game," he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin read Najib's speech text at the prize giving ceremony of the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia at the Mines Resort and Golf Club near here Sunday.
He said the game of golf, after all was at the heart of a major industry that generates jobs, commerce, economic development and revenues for communities throughout the entire country and its value stretches well beyond sport and recreational activities.
Najib said it had been estimated that Malaysia would receive some RM300 million (US$96.811 million) in indirect returns from the sensational sporting event with the presence of the PGA Tour which has already been confirmed for the next six years.
For example, he said, there were 10,000 to 15,000 spectators who attended this event Sunday alone, of which 20 percent were foreign visitors to Malaysia.
"The arrival of these international tourists is expected to directly contribute to our economy and this figure will increase as they take advantage of being in Malaysia to explore and savour all the beautiful things our country has to offer," he said.
He said as the event was a PGA Tour sanctioned event, it was also expected that Malaysia would receive worldwide publicity as the host country of another world class sporting event.
He said such publicity had been calculated to be worth about RM240 million (US$77.445 million) of additional value and it was not surprising as each PGA Tour championship was broadcast to more than 500 million household worldwide.
"This prestigious sporting event, especially through golf tourism, can effectively contribute towards the nation's Economic transformation Programme and our ambitious goal of reaching fully developed nation status by 2020," he said.
Najib also congratulated American Ben Crane who emerged the winner after of the four day event, outclassing 39 of the world's best professionals from both the PGA Tour and the Asian Tour.
Crane received the prize money of USD1 million (RM3.2 million) and trophy from Muhyiddin.
Later, Muhyiddin and Indonesian Ambassador Dai' Bachtiar witnessed the presentation of a RM1 million (US$322.601) cheque from The Mines founder Lee Kim Yew to Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia representative Tan Chee Wei.
Tzu Chi will distribute support and relief for Indonesian people involved in the double tragedy of tsunami in Mentawai islands off the coast of Sumatera and Gunung Merapi volcano eruption in central Java, near Yogyakarta.
The Prime Minister said given the financial affluence of golfers as a lifestyle group and their propensity for international travel, there was also a strong business case for promoting Malaysia as a golf destination.
"After all we have the resources, the facilities and the passion to make Malaysia a world class destination for golfing.
"Golf is also a sport that embodies many of the qualities I have been speaking on a regular basis. In 1Malaysia, we talk about strength, meritocracy, equality and success - all elements that are in the DNA of this game," he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin read Najib's speech text at the prize giving ceremony of the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia at the Mines Resort and Golf Club near here Sunday.
He said the game of golf, after all was at the heart of a major industry that generates jobs, commerce, economic development and revenues for communities throughout the entire country and its value stretches well beyond sport and recreational activities.
Najib said it had been estimated that Malaysia would receive some RM300 million (US$96.811 million) in indirect returns from the sensational sporting event with the presence of the PGA Tour which has already been confirmed for the next six years.
For example, he said, there were 10,000 to 15,000 spectators who attended this event Sunday alone, of which 20 percent were foreign visitors to Malaysia.
"The arrival of these international tourists is expected to directly contribute to our economy and this figure will increase as they take advantage of being in Malaysia to explore and savour all the beautiful things our country has to offer," he said.
He said as the event was a PGA Tour sanctioned event, it was also expected that Malaysia would receive worldwide publicity as the host country of another world class sporting event.
He said such publicity had been calculated to be worth about RM240 million (US$77.445 million) of additional value and it was not surprising as each PGA Tour championship was broadcast to more than 500 million household worldwide.
"This prestigious sporting event, especially through golf tourism, can effectively contribute towards the nation's Economic transformation Programme and our ambitious goal of reaching fully developed nation status by 2020," he said.
Najib also congratulated American Ben Crane who emerged the winner after of the four day event, outclassing 39 of the world's best professionals from both the PGA Tour and the Asian Tour.
Crane received the prize money of USD1 million (RM3.2 million) and trophy from Muhyiddin.
Later, Muhyiddin and Indonesian Ambassador Dai' Bachtiar witnessed the presentation of a RM1 million (US$322.601) cheque from The Mines founder Lee Kim Yew to Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia representative Tan Chee Wei.
Tzu Chi will distribute support and relief for Indonesian people involved in the double tragedy of tsunami in Mentawai islands off the coast of Sumatera and Gunung Merapi volcano eruption in central Java, near Yogyakarta.
