14 March 2006, Kuala Lumpur: The X Games, the world’s signature action sports competition returns to Malaysia, as the City of Kuala Lumpur plays host to Asian X Games 2006 presented by KIA from May 12-14.  Presented by returning sponsor KIA Motors and supported by Malaysia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, the event marks the eighth X Games competition to be held in Asia since 1998.

This year’s event promises to deliver fresh appeal to an already potent mix of energy and action as it makes its home against the backdrop of the Sunway Lagoon Theme Park in Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur. The competition course will once again feature the perennial favorites of Aggressive In-line Skating, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing and Moto X.

The athletes will be competing for bragging rights as the top dog in all of Asia, as action athletes from all continents descend onto Kuala Lumpur and Sunway to compete.

Admission to the event is free.

At the press conference held today at the Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel, Jamie Davis, Managing Director, ESPN STAR Sports said, “The Asian X Games presented by KIA embodies our commitment to the development of not just action sports, but sport in general in Malaysia. Building on the success of the last seven events, this year’s Asian X Games presented by KIA has all the trademark elements of being another great success. The support of returning sponsor KIA Motors, the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports and a host of other partners bears testament to the continued belief in action sports and a commitment to seeing it flourish in Asia.

Jung-Moon Park, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of KIA Motors Corporation said, “We were delighted with the response last year to our participation in the event, in terms of the boost to brand recognition and the enhanced awareness of our exciting brand values.”

“The Asian X Games presented by KIA is becoming an increasingly popular event, with attention from audiences both in Asia and beyond. As such, the event, with its emphasis on this exciting and adventurous sport, gives us the ideal platform to increase recognition of the KIA brand among the younger generation,” he added.

YB Dato’ Liow Tiong Lai, Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports said, “Action sports has always been popular in Asia, especially in Malaysia as our people just love watching sports that gives them that adrenaline rush! The exhilaration and energy that comes with action sports is thrilling for everyone.”

In this regard, the Deputy Minister said, “The Rakan Muda programme in Malaysia has helped to develop a whole lot of talent in the arena of the X Games. Through higher levels of exposure, coaching, local competitions and facilities, our Malaysian athletes have gained the skills and confidence needed to help them excel in this sporting event.”

“There is no denying the fact that the regional Asian X Games presented by KIA marks the most prestigious event in action sports in the country, and is eagerly anticipated by all those involved in this sporting arena. For our athletes, it encourages and motivates them to strive for further recognition, and the chance to compete at a truly international level, “ he added.

World Class Athletes at Moto X:
The event is set to ignite the streets of Kuala Lumpur as world-renowned athletes converge onto the city. Action will take place both inside and near the Sunway Lagoon Theme Resort on purpose-built ramps designed and constructed by the best in the business. Malaysians and action sports fans across Asia will be enthralled by the gravity-defying Moto X display which returns to Kuala Lumpur as a demo sport.

The Interactive Village and Music Concerts:
Not Just About Action on the Ramps. The Asian X Games presented by KIA will have something for everybody from action on the vert ramp, back flips on the Moto X big air jump, the hottest new Hip Hop acts by home-grown Malaysian artists on the main stage, KIA Motors’ latest line-up of vehicles as well as sponsors’ games and activities all at one event.

Partners and Sponsors:
The 2006 Asian X Games presented by KIA is hosted by the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports and enjoys high-level sponsorship support from Presenting Sponsor KIA Motors, official sponsors 720 Clothing Co. and Red Bull in association with official venue Sunway Lagoon, official hotel Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel, official music channel Channel V with support from Rakan Muda and ASTRO.

Background on the X Games:
The Asian X Games was first held in 1998 and is the most prestigious multi-event competition for action sports in Asia. Between 1998 and 2001 the event took place on Phuket Island, Thailand.  From 2002 to 2004, the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur was home to the Asian X Games while Seoul, Korea hosted the event in 2005.

Considered the pinnacle of global action sports competition, the event will showcase 200 of Asia’s and the world’s best action sport athletes as they compete in aggressive in-line skating, skateboarding and sport climbing.

ESPN will televise the 2006 Asian X Games presented by KIA to more than 140 countries and territories around the globe. In addition, asianXgames.com will offer extensive coverage of the Games.