It does not snow in Malaysia but thanks to Genting Resort Secret Garden, Malaysia have embarked on a journey to have Malaysian skiers compete in competitions like the World Cup and Olympic Winter Games.
The first step towards this ambitious programme began with the forging of a partnership with Ski Malaysia, the ski and snowboard association of Malaysia and Genting Resort Secret Garden. The partnership between the two parties was signed in Kuala Lumpur today.
“The strategic partnership between Ski Malaysia and Genting Resort Secret Garden will catapult Malaysian ski talents on to global stage by enabling them to train for the World Cup and Winter Olympics on a world-class training ground,” said Datuk Lim Chee Wah, chairman of Genting Secret Garden.
“We will cover accommodation and travelling expenses for our skiers. Not known to many some Malaysians have already taken to skiing and have been skiing in America and Europe.”
Genting Resort Garden is home to the Genting Snow Park in Beijing, host to a variety of top tier snow sports events, notably as part of the Far East Cup circuit, an Alpine ski racing circuit that also visits Japan and South Korea, drawing skiers from across Asia.
“Currently we have the national teams of Japan and South Korea train there…so why not we train our own skiers (national team). We will cover the accommodation and travelling expenses of our Malaysian skiers to kick start the programme.”
Nestled in the Chongli Valley, the 2,110m high ski resort hosts a multitude of slopes of all levels, with each having its own merits, suitable for recreational and competitive skiers alike.
Tan Sri Shahril Shamsuddin, president of Ski Malaysia described the the partnership as “stepping stone” said: “It does not snow in Malaysia but it all starts with passion. Focus and aspirations can do wonders. Thanks to Genting for allowing our budding skiers to train at Secret Garden in China it is the right time for us to start our journey.
“Skiing is a very healthy and clean sport and it is about time Malaysia will be competing to qualify for for the World Cup and Winter Olympics.
“We have valuated that people with passion excel and this is the stepping stone towards a journey to compete in World Cup and Winter Olympics.”
Secret Garden is the brainchild of visionary entrepreneur Datuk Lim Chee Wah, son of the late Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, who has invested more than RM12 billion, which shows his strength and ambition to develop a resort that holds a position not only among visitors from China but also other parts of Asia, especially warm nations which do not have ski resorts due to climate conditions in their country.
