TM CONTINUES SUPPORT FOR MALAYSIAN CYCLISTS

L-R : Emir Abdul Jalal (Chief Operating Officer, Le Tour De Langkawi), Dato’ Hj Abdul Jalil Abdullah (National Sports Council Director of Sports), Dato’ Rozalila Abdul Rahman (Chief Marketing Officer, TM) and Datuk Zaini Maatan (Vice President, TM Selangor).

BUKITJALIL, 4 February 2014 - National telecommunications giant Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) continuesits association with Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2014 with a focus onbringing the best out of local talents.

TMwill again this year provide incentives for the best Malaysian riders in the 19thedition of the race, which will be flagged off in Langkawi on February 27and ends on March 2 in Kuala Terengganu.

Presentat the announcement of TM’s involvement in this year’s LTdL was Dato’ RozalilaAbdul Rahman, Chief Marketing Officer, TM, together with Dato’ Hj Abdul Jalil Abdullah, National Sports Council Director ofSports and Emir Abdul Jalal,Chief Operating Officer, Le Tour De Langkawi.

“TMis proud to bring the three (3) awards again this year to recognise the bestamongst our Malaysian riders. This portrays our continued commitment towardsthe development of our local athletes, specifically in cycling, and we hopethat all Malaysian riders participating in LTdL 2014 will give their best toget their hands on the awards while maintaining healthy competition spirit andsportsmanship.”

“Inaddition to the awards, TM is also once again participating as the OfficialTelecommunications Provider for the race and we will be equipping theSecretariat and Media Centre at each stage with telecommunication facilities – fixedline telephones, fax, as well as Internet access, both wired and wireless,”added Dato’ Rozalila.

Whilethe 11 Malaysians competing in this year's race will also be eager to challengefor the overall, points, mountains and Asian riders' classifications, TMwill add spice to the challenge by offering again awards for the bestMalaysian rider overall, sprinter and best climber.

Theawards - TM Best Malaysian Sprinter (Raja Pecut), TM Best Malaysian Climber(Raja Bukit) and TM Overall Malaysian Champion - will again carry a totalprize package of RM10,000.

AdiqHusainie Othman, who emerged the best Malaysian rider in the overall standingslast year while riding for the Champion System Pro Cycling Team, returnsthis year with the Terengganu Cycling Team, while the battle for the topsprinter is also set to be contested by the Terengganu Cycling Team pair ofHarrif Saleh and last year's winner Anuar Manan.

Harrifsaid this award provides Malaysian riders an extra incentive to look forward towhile still targeting overall contests.

"Forme, I've been fired up for this race since we began preparation for the newseason. I am really determined to win a stage this time around. It will bean exciting battle with Anuar to emerge the Best Malaysian sprinter, butyou can't discount the other riders as well," said Harrif, 25.

LohSea Keong, who emerged the Best Malaysian Climber last year, will not be aroundthis time as he will be beginning his season with Dutch UCI Pro TeamGiant-Shimano.

Thebattle for the best climber will thus be expected to be between Adiq Husainie,another of his teammates Saufi Mat Senan and the Malaysian national team'spair of Mohd Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi and Nik Mohd Azwan Zulkifle.

LTdLchief operating officer Emir Abdul Jalal said TM's incentives are expected todrive the local riders to perform better and not just outdo themselves,but move them up in the overall competition as well.

"Youcan say that it is a battle between the Malaysians, but I think this could bewhat is needed to raise the performances of the local riders. Whilebattling among themselves, I hope the competitiveness will push them toall perform better in the overall standings," said Emir.

Organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, viathe National Sports Council (NSC) in association with the Malaysian NationalCycling Federation (MNCF). The 19th edition of Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) fromFebruary 27 to March 8, 2014 is set to cover a total distance of 1,507.9km over 10 stages, the UCI 2.HC (horscategory) race featuring again as one of the biggest events on the UCI AsiaTour calendar.