THREE FIGURE SKATERS TO COMPETE IN KOREA

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- Three national figure skaters and a coach
will be heading to Gangwon Province, South Korea, to participate in the annual
Dream Programme from Feb 17 to 26.

This is the fourth appearence for Malaysia in the competition and the
three will compete against 144 athletes from 36 countries in the competition
with all expenses being paid by the Korean government.

The three, Kimberly Wan Mei Wah, 15, Bryan Christopher Tan, 13, and
Julian Yee Zhi Jie, 11, will be accompanied by their coach,
Tan Bee Leong.

They were picked based on on their performance at the National Figure
Skating Championships at the Sunway Pyramid ice rink in June last year.

In the championships, Kimberly who had represented Malaysia for two years,
came in second , behind three-time national champion Rachel Ng, in the Junior
category.


Bryan is the Novice champion, while Julian emerged champion in the
elementary section.

Meanwhile, South Korea Consulate-General here Choi Dong Gyou said the
Dream Programme was initiated by the government of Gangwon Province in South
Korea in 2004 as part of the promotional programme in the bid to host the 2010
Olympic Winter Games by Pyeong Chang City, Gangwon Province.

"The Dream Programme project is to invite potential young athletes from
countries around the world including those where winter sports are unsuitable
due to climate. It gives them an opportunity to experience and learn about the
winter sports as well as Korean culture and tradition," Choi said after
presenting e-tickets to the Ice Skating Association of Malaysia president
Laila Abdullah.

Although the Pyeong Chang City was not chosen for the 21st Olympic Winter
Games in 2010, the government of Gangwon continued with its "Dream Programme,"
project.

-- BERNAMA