MALAYSIA TO HOST INAUGURAL ASIANIC INLINE CUP

KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- More than 300 skaters will compete in the
first ever professional skating championship in this country, the Asianic Inline
Cup (AIC), in Putrajaya on Aug 1.

Co-organised by Putrajaya Corporation and the Putrajaya Tourism Action
Council, the event has attracted 60 foreign skaters from Europe, China, New
Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia and Singapore.

"Among the world top skaters who have confirmed their participation are
current world overall track champion Nicole Begg from New Zealand and overall
leader of the AIC, Sylvia Setiawan from Indonesia," an AIC statement here says.

It adds that inline speed skating is the newest official medal sport for
next year's Guangzhou Asian Games and Malaysia has been chosen as the first leg
for the AIC.

The other legs will be held in China, Singapore and Indonesia, with more
countries joining in the near future.

Inline speed skating is also one of the seven shortlisted sports vying for
a place in the 2016 Olympics.

The professional skaters will compete in the 42km Marathon (men, women, boy,
girl and Master categories) as well as a 500m sprint, whereas recreational
skaters can take part in the 10km race as well as the 5km fun skate.

For more information, please check out www.skateline.com.my/aic or contact
Ms Jo Tan (012-366 3260) or Mr Eusoffe Chua (012-233 9364).

-- BERNAMA