Malaysia Airlines wins bid to host World Airlines Road Race (WARR) 2002

True to the tradition and spirit of "Malaysia Boleh", Malaysia Airlines has once again won the bid to host the World Airline Road Race (WARR) 2002 in Kuala Lumpur from 4-6 October 2002.

WARR is the world's largest travel related sporting event bringing together airline teams from around the world to compete for the international championships of the 5km and 10km races.

This year's WARR is anticipated to attract almost 2,500 runners, families and friends from over 80 international airlines, who will participate in the social and competitive events organised by Malaysia Airlines' Sports Club (Kelab Sukan MAS) the host committee.

"The international WARR committee, based in Ottawa Canada, receives bids to host the event two years in advance and with Malaysia Airlines' reputation of hosting the best ever WARR in 1997, could hardly resist our bid," said Kelab Sukan MAS President, Encik Ahmad Shamsuddin.

"The objectives of WARR are to provide the airline industry personnel with a world-wide athletic event, promote travel within the airline industry and foster friendship and coordination between airlines," he added.

The economic impact of WARR to the host community is estimated to be in excess of USD3 million, mainly proceeds from tourism related activities. As such WARR provides organisations an opportunity to promote their products and services at local and international level.

"Every WARR has a theme and this year it is "The Heat Is On". The venue change each year adds to the event's appeal and creates global exposure for WARR's sponsors," said Mr S Elangovan, chairman of the organising committee and a WARR veteran.

Such is the reputation of the event that WARR 2002 has attracted sponsorship commitment from international companies like Boeing, American Express and Saucony as well as local organisations namely Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB), Sabah Tourism Promotion Corporation (STPC), Sarawak Tourism Corporation (STC), Express Rail Link (ERL), Guinness Anchor, Nestle, Genting Highlands, F & N Coca Cola and MAS Golden Holidays.

In keeping up with yet another noble tradition of WARR, the international committee will make a contribution to a local charity in appreciation of the city's support of the event where a portion of each participant's entry fee will be donated to an organization nominated by the host airline.

For WARR 2002, the beneficiary of this gesture is the Paediatric Aids Fund Malaysia.