The Monsoon Cup- Receives valuable support from NSC

by Alpari World Match Racing Tour on 18 Nov 2013 The sixth and final stage of the 2013 Alpari World Match Racing Tour – the Monsoon Cup and the sport of sailing in Malaysia has received valuable support from the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Sports Council (NSC) following an announcement to launch a series of development programs starting next year aimed at producing world class sailors from the country.

In a press release issued by the NSC, the Malaysian Government confirmed their long-term commitment to the development of sailing with the launch of a national sailing league and special youth programs designed to promote interest and participation in sailing in Malaysia. The Monsoon Cup will provide the platform and path for these sailors to learn, compete and prepare themselves to become world champions.

'The league will be organized in each state and the sailor gaining the highest points will represent the country at the Monsoon Cup. The program will be launched in full effect next year,' said NSC Director General Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong, adding that the initiative will promote interest in the sport and allow young sailors to develop their talent to the highest level.

Zolkples also said that the youth sailing program is targeting participation of at least 2,000 youth sailors in each location. Each programme will be held for four days include a combination of classroom and on-water sessions to illustrate the basic aspects of sailing, demonstrations, training sessions and races among the participants.

The announcement by the Malaysian Government is a very positive step forward for the development of sailing in the country and the acknowledgment it gives to the Monsoon Cup and the Alpari World Match Racing Tour.

'We are very pleased by the recent announcement by the Malaysian Government to introduce new initiaitives for the industry aimed at producing world-class sailors from the country' added James Pleasance, CEO of the Alpari Tour. 'The Monsoon Cup is one of the most sought after match racing events in the world for today’s professional skippers, and the acknowledgement of the event by the Government will provide a significant boost for the event, and also for the Alpari World Match Racing Tour.'

The Monsoon Cup is the final event of the 2013 Alpari World Match Racing Tour taking place in Kuala Terrenaganu from 25-30 November. Although the national league will be fully launched in 2014, a regional event and youth program will take place from 15-22 November prior to the Monsoon Cup. Innovatige Sdn Bhd is the newly appointed organizer of the Monsoon Cup.

For more information on the Monsoon Cup, visit Monsoon Cup

2013 Alpari World Match Racing Tour Calendar:
Stage 1: May 15 – 20 - Match Race Germany, Langenargen, Germany
Stage 2: May 28 – June 2 - Korea Match Cup, Gyeonggi, South Korea
Stage 3: July 1 – 6 - Stena Match Cup Sweden, Marstrand, Sweden
Stage 4: Aug 6 – 11 - Chicago Match Cup, Chicago, USA
Stage 5: Oct 7 – 13 - Argo Group Gold Cup, Hamilton, Bermuda
Stage 6: Nov 25 – 30 - Monsoon Cup, K.Terengganu, Malaysia

2013 Tour Card Holders:
Johnie Berntsson, Stena Sailing Team - Sweden
Taylor Canfield, USone - US Virgin Islands
Bjorn Hansen, eWork Sailing Team - Sweden
Adam Minoprio, Team Alpari FX - New Zealand
Pierre-Antoine Morvan, Vannes Agglo Sailing Team - France
Phil Robertson, WAKA Racing - New Zealand
Keith Swinton, Black Swan Racing - Australia
Ian Williams, GAC Pindar - Great Britain