Announcing the partnership, Mr. Frank Scheffer, Director of Finance and Administration, BMW Group Malaysia said, “For the last two years, BMW Group Malaysia has been the premium partner of the BMW Malaysia Open, a world class tennis tournament sanctioned by the Women Tennis Association (WTA) Tour here in Malaysia. Now we are taking our commitment a step ahead with support at the ‘grassroots’ level with the BMW Malaysia National Circuit.”
Scheffer added that the move to support the sport of tennis at the national development level is a logical step in the holistic approach that the BMW Group applies to its devotion to sporting brilliance.
“The BMW Malaysia National Circuit is a clear reflection of our commitment to the sport of tennis across the full spectrum of participation levels – amateur to professional. It is an authentic approach which is shared across all sporting initiatives the BMW Group is involved in – Golf, Motorsports, Sailing and in the next month, the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in London, UK where the BMW Group is the Official Automotive Partner. We will continue to both drive the nation’s passion and awareness of the game of tennis and at the same time provide the competitive environments that will allow leading Malaysian players to continually develop their skills and expand their experience,” said Scheffer.
Echoing Scheffer’s sentiments,Tan Sri Datuk Abdul Razak Latiff, President of the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM) said; “Having BMW commit to the title partnership position of the Malaysian Open has provided the springboard to really take the event to the next level and with them now also partnering the Malaysian National Circuit, we really look forward to working with them to build on the foundations that we have put in place and through time, produce a champion.
He further added; “With the winner gaining entry to the BMW Malaysian Open, our leading young players will be provided a once in a life time opportunity and the experience that these players will garner from participating in such an event, which has such a such depth of talent amongst its player lineup can only help push for their future success.”
Malaysia’s Minister for Youth and Sports, YB Dato' Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek who was also in attendance said, “The global popularity of tennis is obvious to all with the coverage the sport receives and it is my wish that one day in the future we will see a Malaysian at the very top of the sport. It is initiatives like these from the private sector, which compliment the local and National Association’s efforts which will make this dream a reality. I applaud BMW Group Malaysia for having both the vision and the drive to make these initiatives happen.”
The inaugural leg of the BMW Malaysia National Circuit 2012 is set to serve up end to end tennis action from the 14th to 18th July 2012 at the Kompleks Tenis Tun Razak, Jalan Duta. The competition, which is open to all Malaysians over the age of 14 years old, will see 128 men and 64 women singles players competing in a knock-out format competition over the course of four days for the prize purse of RM 30,000 as well as professional ranking points.
BMW Group Malaysia will also be supporting the Masters of the BMW Malaysia National Circuit competition which is the culmination of all the BMW National Circuit tournaments during the 2012 calendar year. Played in the month of October, the Masters will take the top 16 ranked men and women players drawn from all previous legs as well as determine the wildcard entries to the BMW Malaysian Open next year. - source BMW
