Malaysia signs new sports agreement with WA

26/7/07
A sports exchange program between Western Australia and Malaysia will be renewed for a further three years with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding in Kuala Lumpur today.
Sport and Recreation Minister John Kobelke and Malaysia's Deputy Minister for Youth and Sport the Honourable Dato' Liow Tiong Lia signed the agreement today.
Mr Kobelke said the agreement was a vital part of a broader relationship with the Malaysian Government, which had significant benefits to both countries.
"In the past three years WA and Malaysian sporting teams have had joint training and friendly competition in Perth and Malaysia, boosting the experience and expertise of both regions' teams," he said.
"WA has helped Malaysia to restructure its sporting system and we are currently helping with the development of peak sporting bodies, which provide much needed administrative support to their sports.
"Malaysia has also benefited from WA sports science expertise, particularly through a formal link between Edith Cowan University and Professor Rob Newton at the university, who is consulting with and for the Malaysian Institute of Sport and Malaysian students enrolled in courses at the Joondalup campus."
WA athletes would be able to use sports facilities and accommodation in Malaysia to help prepare for competition in the South East Asian region.
Australian and South East Asian climatic conditions were very different and WA athletes would be able to train in the Kuala Lumpur's Commonwealth Games facilities.
"This will be a big advantage for WA athletes, allowing them to acclimatise as they prepare for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi," Mr Kobelke said.
"These opportunities show our three-year association with Malaysia has been beneficial and I expect the co-operation to continue over the next three years."
Minister's office - 9222 9211