MEET THE GUNNERS WITH PROEVENTS

 In conjunction with the 10^th Anniversary celebrations in Malaysia,  ProEvents International- Arsenal Asia Tour 2011 promoters- are giving a life time opportunity to football fans to greet the Gunners.

Tickets purchased before July 9 2011 (cut off time 9pm), will stand a chance to meet the Arsenal players.  Those who purchased tickets before this announcement for the “lucky draw” need not despair. They will be included in the draw.

However, only 50 lucky ticket holders will get this rare opportunity. The “winners” will be picked through a computerised ticket serial number draw which will be done by Ticketpro.

ProEvents Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Julian Kam said the winners will be announced through the media partners of the Tour and ProEvents facebook.

“This is one way to allow football fans and supporters of Arsenal to be up close-and-personal with their idols. It is a lifetime opportunity for them to meet and greet and welcome them to Malaysia. It is also to show the Gunners that they have strong fan base in this country,” said Kam.

Tickets for Arsenal’s match, priced at RM58, RM68, RM108 and limited RM388 can be purchased through www.ticketpro.com.my and selected Nike outlets in the country.

The Gunners are back in Malaysia after a 12-year absence and will kick-start their Asia Tour 2011 with a match against the Malaysian X1 at the National Stadium on July 13. Kick-off is at 8.45pm.  

NATIONAL TEAM GETS SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR ARSENAL MATCH

Malaysia aims to walk tall when they face English Premier League giants Arsenal FC at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on July 13.
The Harimau Malaya received a pleasant surprise which boosted their morale when tour promoters ProEvents printed special edition tickets, bearing the image of the national team, for the match.
These tickets go on sale from today and it will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tickets are priced at RM58, RM68, RM108 and limited VIP tickets at RM388.
National coach Datuk K. Rajagobal said it is pleasant surprise for the team.
“We did not expect this but I am sure it will boost the players’ morale and confidence to face Arsenal. As the coach, I am proud that that team has been given such recognition. It makes us proud,” said Rajagopal.
“It is one way of recognising the team for its achievements. Hopefully, it will spur the team to go all out for the match against Arsenal.”

CEO Pro Events International Julian Kam Presenting Datuk K.Rajagopal, National Coach the Special Edition Ticket which features the Malaysian Players for the Match against Arsenal on July 13th at Bukit Jalil Stadium. The Event was witnessed by the National Players, FAM General Secretary Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad and Datuk Subahan Kamal FAM Vice President.

Arsenal has a very strong fan base not only in Malaysia but also in Asia as a whole. The match has brought a lot of excitement from Arsenal fans from other countries like Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Brunei.
Julian Kam, Chief Executive Officer of ProEvents Group said it was a closely wrapped secret although it had been planned for quite some time when Arsenal confirmed that the Gunners will kick-start their first pre-season tour in Asia since 1999.

“It was a closely kept wrapped secret until we let the cat out of the bag today. This is our way of telling the team that we in ProEvents are not letting your recent success go unnoticed.

 “Everyone is excited with Malaysia’s match against Arsenal. It is good to see how we far against the millionaire professionals. Winning and losing is part and parcel of the game but we are confident that you will keep Malaysia’s flag flying with pride.

“We hope that our Malaysian players will be able to learn a point or two from them (Arsenal players) and take their game to a new level. At the same time, we hope that one or two of our players will be able to impress the Arsenal talent scouts,” said Kam, who is an appointed FIFA match agent.

Summary of Ticketing Details

Prices for tickets range from RM58, RM68, RM108 and limited VIP tickets at RM388. From May 27, match tickets are exclusively available at selective Nike stores nationwide and each purchase comes with a complimentary commemorative training pass. From May 30 onwards, fans can purchase tickets at selected Nike and Ticketpro outlets nationwide or call up Ticketpro’s hotline at 03-78807999 or book online through their website www.ticketpro.com.my

About ProEvents

Celebrating its 10^th anniversary in Malaysia, ProEvents is the leading football marketing and management consultancy in Asia with offices in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.

Over the past 18 years, ProEvents has organised and promoted more international football matches in Asia than any other company. Teams brought in include Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Leeds, Inter Milan, Sampdoria, FIFA World Stars and the national sides of Brazil, England, Argentina, Portugal, Bulgaria, Finland, China, Japan, Korea and Yugoslavia.

The company’s co-founder and CEO Julian, is an appointed FIFA Match Agent. For more information please visit our website@www.proevents.com

No money for sports development, but abundance for compensation!

The National Sports Council (NSC) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports have come in the open to say funds have been cut and thus,  national sports associations' subsidies for development and programmes have also been cut this year.
But the Sports Ministry has RM500,000 to pay as fine, as the Stadium Board, which manages the National Stadium and the contractor have agreed to postpone the laying of a new track, originally scheduled to ongoing now and ready in August.
But now the National Stadium Board will open its doors for Malaysia's World Cup and qualifying matches in June and July and also for the Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool also scheduled for July.
FA of Malaysia secretary-general, Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad has come to say that the fine is an internal matter between the the Stadium Board and the contractor and that the Sports Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, will make an official announcement on the matter soon. (see today's NST report below).
Azzudin has also said that FAM will not absorb the cost.
For the life of me, I cannot understand how this mess came about.
It is reliably learnt that any form of compensation to the contractor for postponing in laying the tracks only amounts to RM60,000. But the Stadium Board as come up with a figure of RM500,000.
Is the Stadium Board trying to make some fast bucks?
But if the Sports Ministry is going to absorb the fine, it will only be money exchanging from the right hand to the left hand and is an internal transfer.
But my question is how did this mess come about? Was there no communication between FA of Malaysia and the Stadium Board on upcoming matches that that FA of Malaysia wanted to use the National Stadium.
As in the case of the matches involving EPL teams which is brought by a private event company, was there any booking made and by whom - FA of Malaysia or the event company?
Was there any deposit paid for the booking for the National Stadium or is a last minute change of venue from the Shah Alam Stadium to National Stadium. If that is the case, should it not be the event organisers to pay whatever is required to secure the National Stadium. Or has a deal been made with the FA of Malaysia to book the venue.
This is just as complicated as the issue on the "Tiger stripe issue" where Telecom Malaysia, the National Sports Council, Olympic Council of Malaysia and attire manufacturer and official supplier Mesuma are involved in patent right issue.
Why has Malaysian sports to be so complicated and get into controversies everytime.
I though we had competent officials who know all the rights and wrongs in sports dealings.
The bottom-line for all these issues is MONEY and the private parties involved who either are not familiar with what they are handling or is pure incompetency on their part. Let us not talk of the sports officials who are involved in the deals, for it might open another can of worms.
Indeed sad for Malaysian sports when after almost 54 years of independence, we are still making schoolboy mistakes despite sports having gone professional in many areas in Malaysia.
Can someone shed some light as to why all these mess?
I suppose that is asking too much, as each one would want to cover their mess and tracks!
Good luck to Malaysian sports and welcome to Malaysia the controversial and bo-bo hub for sports dealings!
 

Football: National Stadium to re-open earlier

2011/05/21
Ajitpal Singh
ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my

THE National Stadium in Bukit Jalil will open its doors for Malaysia's World Cup and Olympic qualifying matches next month and in July. The stadium, which is now closed for the laying of a new track, was originally scheduled to open only in August.
However, the Stadium Board, which manages the National Stadium, and the contractor have agreed to postpone it to accommodate the matches.
This means the Stadium Board will pay a fine of RM500,000 to the contractor.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are also scheduled to attend an 11-day EPL Festival in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia will play former English Premiership champions Arsenal on July 10, followed by former Champions League winners Liverpool, six days later and Chelsea on July 21.
All these matches will now be held at the National Stadium. It is learnt that the English clubs were earlier unhappy about playing at the proposed venue at the Shah Alam Stadium, which subsequently forced the concerned parties to move these matches to the National Stadium.According to FA of Malaysia secretary-general Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad, the issue in regard to the fine is an internal matter between the Stadium Board and the contractor."Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek will make an official announcement soon. FAM will not absorb the cost," said Azzuddin yesterday.

Secret to a great future (The Malay Mail)

HOW do you go about fixing Malaysian soccer.
 Well, if you ask Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, he will insist you start
with the youngsters.
 The Frenchman says hard work must be done at youth level for Malaysia to
climb to greater heights.
 "You will have to start with players from the ages of 10 to 18.
 "This is the learning stage and a strong foundation is a must.
 "I am confident if you put in hard work, in line with the requirements
of the game, Malaysian soccer and Asian soccer will rise," said Wenger who
once coached in the J-League.
 He observed Malaysian players, like most Asian players, lacked a good
physique and the power and strength that comes with it.
 He says success in modern soccer requires physical strength in addition
to technical ability and that is where the Europeans have an unfair
advantage.
 But Wenger says there are ways of getting around the handicap.
 "Asian teams could be built on mobility, skills and stamina," said
Wenger.
 "And they will certainly do better with more exposure to high level
matches."
 However, Wenger stressed things are not going to happen overnight. It
is going to take years of work.
 On the current Malaysian team, Wengers said: "I thought they were
committed, good in offensive play and had good tactics.
 "But I was convinced they were not going to score after watching them
miss the early chances because the strikers lack confidence.
 "You may get only one or two chances in a match and you have to put them
away," he said.
 Wenger was happy his team won last night's clash at the National Stadium
2-0.
 "We always play to win. My players gave a reasonably good account of
themselves despite being tired."
 Arsenal played at almost walking pace for most of the game but did
enough to strike twice through French internationals Nicolas Anelka (54th
minute) and Emmanuel Petit (62nd).
 Arsenal could have got a hatful but Anelka muffed some easy chances in
the first half.
 Still, Malaysian goalkeeper Azmin Azram Abdul Aziz and the defence,
marshalled by V. Thinkaran, did they part to keep the Gunners at bay.
 Arsenal, nevertheless, gave their opponents a lesson in soccer with
their simplicity, keen understanding of one others game, zonal play and
effective invasion and utilisation of space.
 Arsenal's play also forced the Malaysians to keep their game simple by
moving the ball around, providing effective support and working hard.
 Malaysia did enough to keep the game interesting and competitive.
 Arsenal may have been a club side but they had an array of international
stars from several countries and Malaysia soccer gained valuable
experience playing them.
                               (END)

Just the right blend (The Malay Mail)

ALTHOUGH this season has not been very impressive for Arsenal, clearly
Arsene Wenger has survived the test of foreign coaches making their mark
in England.
 It is an open secret that the Frenchman has built his team around an
international array of players instead of just sticking to homegrown
talent.
 And he has managed to do this despite the strict rules on allowing
foreign players to play in England.
 Wenger, who was in Kuala Lumpur last Wednesday when Arsenal played a
friendly against a Malaysian selection, said his team's success had a
great deal to do with the right blend of different classes of players.
 "I believe that the influx of foreign players to a team in England will
not only give a new dimension to the League, but also benefit the English
players themselves," Wenger said.
 Wenger is arguably the foreign coach with the best record in English
soccer as barely 18 months after he joined the Highbury club in the autumn
of 1996, he steered them to win a double - the Premiership and FA Cup.
 "Of course the influx of foreign players has its good and bad points,"
Wenger said.
 "If there are too many foreign players, it will stiffle the growth of
local players.
 "But, with a right mix, it will not only help develop the local players
with the exposure to different kinds of soccer from Europe, but also help
the team play with a variety of styles."
 Although Arsenal consist of basically English and French players, they
do have flavours from Argentina (Nelson David Vivas), Holland (Marc
Overmars), Portugal (Luis Boa Morte) and Nigeria (Nwankwo Kanu).
 Their French players include Emmanuel Petit, Nicolas Anelka, Patrick
Paul Viera, David Grondin, Gilles Grimandi and Remi Marie Garde.
 "With such a combination, we'll be better prepared to meet the demands
of European soccer," Wenger added.
 "Now the English players themselves are more accustomed to the European
style."
 Wenger also emphasised that big bucks are not the only means to
strengthen the team.
 "While it may be the easiest way, it often draws criticisms and, when
results are not forthcoming, it brings about tremendous pressure.
 "There is always the possibility of getting good players for a
reasonable price with time and patience."
 And Wenger should know what he is talking about because he has acquired
some of the current top players for a bargain.
 Arsenal scored 59 goals and only conceded 17 this season to finish a
close second to Manchester United.
 Wenger admitted that he needs to further strengthen the team next season
when they hope to regain their League title and present a stronger
European challenge.
 "We are looking for at least three players, but I cannot give any names
yet."
 Wenger also said a bigger squad is vital in the wake of suspensions and
injuries.
 After all, the Gunners do not plan to misfire next season.
                                 (END)

Just be there! (The Malay Mail)

IT has been a long season for Arsenal. And an equally long journey to
Malaysia at the end of it on Sunday when they beat Aston Villa 1-0 at
Highbury.
 Still, you can expect the best from the Gunners despite surrendering
their League title to Manchester United when they play Malaysia in a
friendly at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tonight.
 "We have had a long season, missed out on the League title and travelled
a long way after our match on Sunday to be here. But the team will
definitely play with concentration and motivation against Malaysia," said
team manager Arsene Wenger at a press conference on arrival in Malaysia
yesterday evening with his cosmopolitan team. Only Dutch striker, Dennis
Bergkamp who fears flying, was missing.
 "Of course the players are tired from the long season and the journey
here and are down after failing to win the title but we are not here on a
holiday.
 "We will play our normal brand of soccer and give a good game."
 Skipper Tony Adams when told there have been speculations Arsenal are on
a holiday here, replied: "I will look for the fella who said that."
 Wenger said: "We will certainly not disappoint the Malaysian fans.
 "We always play to win and it is not going to be any different here."
 Arsenal ended only one point behind United on Sunday and did not fare
any worse than last season when they won the coveted double - the League
and the FA Cup.
 Arsenal lost out to Manchester United in the semifinals of the FA Cup
which was one of the highlights of this season.
 In the Premiership, the Gunners attained the 78 points which won them
the title last season and conceded only 17 goals in 38 games.
 And this despite their back four being no younger than 32.
 The Arsenal defence comprises veterans Adams, Nigel Winterburn, Lee
Dixon Steve Bould and Martin Keown who have mostly been at the club for
the past decade.
 And with the likes of French internationals Emmanuel Peti, Nicolas
Anelka and Patrick Vieira, Dutch star Marc Overmars, Nigeria's Nwankwo
Kanu and experienced keeper David Seaman, Malaysian fans are indeed in for
a treat tonight.

 FACTS ON THE CHIEF GUNNERS
 * DAVID SEAMAN'S middle name is Andrew and he has broken Jack Kelsey's
club record of 353 appearances for a keeper last year.
 * Rightback Lee Dixon hopes to have his testimonial match this year.
 * Tony Adams is the most successful skipper in the club's 113-year
history.
 * Martin Keown joined Arsenal in Oct 1980 as a schoolboy, when Nicolas
Anelka was less than two years old.
 * Argentine Nelson Vivas is the shortest player in the squad at 1.66m.
 * Senegal-born Patrick Vieira remains the youngest skipper in the French
first division. He captained his first club Cannes at the age of 18 in
1994.
 * Midfielder Emmanuel Petit earned his first international cap at the
age of 19 - courtesy of the then French coach Michel Platini - at
leftback.
 * In a truly cosmopolitan side, Ray Parlour and Adams are genuine local
lads who were both born in Romford, a few kilometres away from Highbury.
 * In a research carried out by the football simulation computer game FA
Premier League Football Manager '99, Marc Overmars outpaced his rivals in
the speed section, based on acceleration, speed from standing starts,
flatout sprint and pace running with the ball, obtaining the maximum
points of 30.
 * Tallest in the squad is Nigerian showman Nwankwo Kanu who stands at
1.97m, taller even than the three custodians Seaman, Alex Manninger and
John Lukic.
 * For a player considered the French attacking saviour, Anelka buys his
own boots. It is learnt that Adidas, Nike and Puma are still hunting for
his signature.
 * Manager Arsene Wenger who played for Mutzig, Mulhouse and Strasbourg,
graduated from Strasbourg University with a masters degree in Economics in
1974.
                                (END)