1 March 2003, Singapore: Asia’s Number one broadcaster, ESPN STAR Sports announced plans for the inaugural F.A Premier League Asia Cup today. The tournament will feature English Premier League teams Newcastle United, Chelsea, Birmingham City and the red hot Malaysian National team competing in an officially sanctioned quadrangular.
The announcement was made by F.A. Premier League (FAPL) Chairman Dave Richards LIVE from Newcastle on the ESPN show Premiership Saturday before the English Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea. Also on hand for the announcement live via satellite from Newcastle’s Stadium, St James’ Park were Rik Dovey, managing director of ESPN STAR Sports; Freddy Shepherd Chairman of Newcastle United, Trevor Birch, Chief Executive Officer of Chelsea and David Gold, Chairman of Birmingham City Football Club. The Malaysia National football team manager, Alan Harris provided the Malaysian perspective in a taped interview.
The first and only football competition sanctioned by the F.A. Premier League outside England, the F.A. Premier League Asia Cup will pit full strength teams against each other just 3 weeks prior to the start of the 2003-2004 season. The tournament will be fully official with Premiership referees for all matches.
‘This is the next best thing to seeing a live Premiership match in England,’ said Rik Dovey, managing director of ESPN STAR Sports. ‘This is the only tournament outside of England sanctioned by the FAPL – it is not an exhibition or friendly match, nor is this the usual post-season Club tour of Asia.’
He added, ‘The clubs will be using this tournament as their final season warm up – they will be full strength and definitely out to win. Full-strength teams means top stars and managers will be in action.’
Dave Richards, F.A. Premier League Chairman said, ‘We’re delighted to be working with ESPN STAR Sports on bringing this first-ever event to Asia. In fact, this is the first such event anywhere in the world. Over the years, the appetite for English Premier League football in Asia has become very strong and we want to deliver the best possible competition to them. This event falls within our overall plans to further build the following for the League as well as for all of our Clubs within the League. Given the success of the Asian players already in the Premier League it would be no great surprise to see more Clubs looking to Asia for their players. This would obviously further stimulate the enormous interest there is in the Premier League in Asia already.’
In order to truly showcase the talent of the Premier League, the three clubs were picked through a selection process endorsed by the Premier League and the Clubs. On an agreed date, one team was selected from positions 1-5 in the league table, one team from positions 6-10 in the table and one team from position 11-20. Selected teams will revolve each year ensuring that all teams participate in the tournament.
Said Sir Bobby Robson, Manager for Newcastle United, ‘The lads have played well all season and have consistently shown why they are one of the top teams in the League. While we are thrilled to be among the teams coming out for this first-ever tournament, we are going to Malaysia to try and win the tournament – for fans in Asia as well as those back home in Newcastle.’
Added Alan Shearer, star striker for Newcastle United said, ‘It is going to be a great match-up in Malaysia. We are excited to be invited and we are looking to be winners of the inaugural F.A. Premier League Asia Cup.’
Chelsea Football Club Manager, Claudio Ranieri said, ‘We consider every official match and every victory important – whether they are matches played in the UK or abroad. This is certainly no friendly match – our goal is to win this tournament, and to win in convincing fashion’.
Steve Bruce, Birmingham City Football Club’s manager remarked on his team’s hopes of taking home the F.A. Premier League Asia Cup title, ‘This past season, we have shown our mettle and resilience among some tough teams in the Premier League and these lads have not disappointed their fans. While this is a good pre-season warm up for us, I am confident the players will put up a strong performance and in fact have an equal chance of taking home this title as any of the other teams in this tournament.’
Malaysian National Coach, Alan Harris, himself a former Chelsea player, is confident his Malaysian National side will put up their best performance yet. Commenting on his team’s form he said, ‘We have a young side, but the team are no stranger to playing world class international teams who have visited Malaysia in the past year. We are preparing hard for this tournament and intend to make sure we do Malaysian fans proud.’
The F.A. Premier League Asia Cup is organised by ESPN STAR Sports and endorsed by Malaysia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports. Besides the FAPL, the competition is also sanctioned by the Football Association of Malaysia.
About the Tournament
The inaugural F.A. Premier League Asia Cup will take place from July 24-27 at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia which has a capacity of 86,500 people. Match details are as follows:
Thursday, July 24th: Birmingham City vs Newcastle United (Match 1)
Friday, July 25th: Malaysia National Team vs Chelsea FC (Match 2)
Saturday, July 26th: 3rd/4th Play Off
Sunday, July 27th: Final
All matches will kick off at 8.45 pm local time (GMT+7)
Tickets with numbered VIP seating are priced at RM200 per match with free seating Adult tickets priced at RM50 per match and tickets for Children (under12) priced at RM25 per match. All ticket details as well as travel packages for fans wishing to travel to Kuala Lumpur for the event are available on www.espnstar.com
For further information, please contact:
Stephenie Vasko, ESPN STAR Sports tel: (65) 6488 6129 or email: vaskos@espnstar.com
Mai Tatoy, ESPN STAR Sports (65) 6488 6134 or email: tatoym@espnstar.com