Tennis for a cause

Notice Dinara Safina's height?

PRESS RELEASE

Kuala Lumpur, Thursday, 24th February 2011 – Some of the world's top women in tennis will be playing for a noble cause in the BMW Malaysia Open 2011 next week. The world class tennis competition will see the best of the best tennis sportswomen turn the spotlight on the scourge of Cervical Cancer, which kills thousands of women every year.

Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer amongst women in Malaysia with 12.2 per 100, 000 of the female population affected. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that more than 700 Malaysian women die from cervical cancer every year.

Rubi-Ain Dahlan, Managing Director of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) said “The BMW Malaysian Open has taken a big stride towards helping The National Cancer Society of Malaysia and Power Over Cervical Cancer (POCC) with their support and the support of the players during the event to raise awareness of our cause. We look forward to similar initiatives from other organizations as we work together towards improving the health and quality of women throughout Malaysia. We are very proud to be supported by such fantastic role models in the players of the BMW Malaysian Open 2011 and we hope with their support we are able to continue our efforts to reduce the number of Malaysian women affected by Cervical Cancer.

Players from the WTA Tour will support the National Cancer Society of Malaysia and Power Over Cervical Cancer through participation in a number of PR activities over the week including the donations of signed memorabilia to be raffled off during the event week along with conducting a visit to NCSM’s Children’s Home of Hope which provides accommodation for children with cancer and to NCSM’s Women’s Cancer Detection Centre.

Former world No.1 Dinara Safina said “Any time we as players are able to highlight such an important campaign to create and sustain awareness on cervical cancer- like that of POCC and help to highlight the messages of the NCSM to fight against cervical cancer- we are more than happy to lend our support."

Proceeds from the ticket sales of the competition will go to the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) and Power Over Cervical Cancer (POCC) campaign to increase awareness of the disease.

World No. 3 Francesca Schiavone of Italy said “Every woman has the right to live a life free from Cervical Cancer. NCSM and POCC provide not only monetary support but visibility to the cause and we look forward to supporting them during our visit to Malaysia."

Mr. Geoffrey Briscoe, Managing Director, BMW Group Malaysia, meanwhile, said, “The social concerns that this tennis competition is able to address is one of the many reasons as to why we at BMW Group Malaysia wanted to be part of the BMW Malaysian Open 2011. Like our cars, the game of tennis requires dynamism, intelligence, efficiency and endurance. More importantly, however, we at the BMW Group are a responsible corporate citizen and we have demonstrated this through our Sustainability strategy of BMW EfficientDynamics which has led us to be named the greenest car company in the world!”

Briscoe further added that the premium carmaker will be providing a fleet of their BMW X1 and BMW 320i M Sport which is to be utilised to shuttle the players and VIPs throughout the tournament period.

“The BMW X1 and BMW 320i M Sport incorporates all the traits known to BMW and successfully blends them with current real world requirements and concerns. These are BMWs that set the benchmark for driver satisfaction and utility, while also being economical both in terms of cost to the consumer and environment – a true testament to our capabilities of BMW EfficientDynamics technology and a true success story in automotive sustainability.” said Briscoe.

Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Datuk Abdul Razak Latiff, President of the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM) said, “We have gone to great lengths to bring this tour to our country for a second consecutive year in a way that rewards tennis fans in Malaysia. Our efforts will be rewarded throughout the seven days of games that will be nothing short of a world class women’s tennis event and I dare say, it will keep you on the edge of your seats”.

The BMW Malaysian Open 2011, a leg of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour – the world’s leading professional sport for women is set to serve up the action to Malaysian audiences from 28th February to 6th March 2011 at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian and Country Resort. The tournament will see 32 single players and 16 doubles teams’ competing in a knockout style competition over the course of the seven day tournament for the prize purse of USD 220,000.00.

Tickets for the tournament can be obtained from TicketPro through their website at www.ticketpro.com.my or by calling +603 7880 7999. For ticket prices and other information log on to the official website of the tournament at www.bmwmalaysianopen.com. The tournament will be held from the 26th of February to the 6th of March at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian and Country Resort.