NEWS RELEASE

Iskandar Johor Open promoted in the Middle East
Johor MB woos Guld investments in sports facilities

DUBAI (Friday, 10th Oct 2008): The Iskandar Johor Open (IJO) offers a unique opportunity for golf enthusiasts in the Middle East to explore and invest in new sports facilities in Iskandar Malaysia.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, speaking on the sidelines of the Cityscape international property show here, said the IJO was one of several international events being planned to put Iskandar on the world map.

“You’ve to come and see the IJO to understand what can we offer and how you can help develop world-class sports and recreational facilities in Iskandar,” he said.

Top-ranked golfers and big names from the Asian Tour who have confirmed their entries for the IJO which will be played at the Royal Johor Country Club (RJCC) from Oct 30-Nov 2.

The IJO which is into its second year, is one of Malaysia’s biggest golf tournaments with a total prize money of US$500,000 (RM1.7 million) for the taking.

The championship which is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Malaysian Golf Association is supported by the Johor Government and Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA).

Ghani, who was speaking to Middle Eastern businessmen at a seminar on investment opportunities in Iskandar on Wednesday (Oct 8), said as a greenfield development region, Iskandar offered tremendous opportunities for growth of sports facilities.

“We envisage some three million people, including professionals and skilled labour from around the world, to live, work and play in Iskandar by 2025. Now is the time for investors to move in and cater to the demand for international-standard sports and entertainment
facilities,” he said.

It is learnt that no less than six signature golf courses and resorts, designed by some of the biggest names in the industry, are being planned within Iskandar.

Johor is already a heaven for golf enthusiasts with no less than 30 courses spread throughout the state. In Johor Bahru alone, there about 20-odd international-class golf courses and resorts.

The 18-hole par 72 RJCC golf course, just five-minutes drive away from Johor Bahru city centre, is one of the premier golf destinations.
The IJO, with its stellar list of star players expected to converge in Johor Bahru for the championship, will undoubtedly be a boon for the clubs as evidenced by a sudden spurt in membership enquiries.

At the RJCC, for instance, membership transfers are changing hands at RM15,000 per transaction, which is a new benchmark. Other clubs similarly, are also reporting a spike in demand for membership.

Another telltale sign of the boom brought on by the IJO is interest show by corporate sponsors. To date, 15 companies have signed up as the official sponsors of the tournament.

The business spillover from the IJO will also be felt by hotels, eateries and transport services within Johor Bahru, all of whom are expecting a rise in bookings and enquiries.

For the man in the street, the IJO also affords a rare opportunity for them to rub shoulders with world-class players upfront by signing up as IJO volunteers during the tournament dates.

The organisers are in need of about 100 volunteers, who will essentially help with marshalling and scoring.

For budding golfers, the professionals have also offered to conduct special coaching clinics on Friday and Saturday of the tournament week. The youngsters will get tips on how to improve their game, as well as motivation and advice on becoming golf pros.
Admission to the IJO is free.

The official IJO website is: www.iskandarjohoropen.com



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