Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Today the Malaysian Government, through its Ministry of Youth and Sports, formalized an agreement with international sports broadcaster ESPN that will see Malaysia host the next three Asian X Games Qualifiers and ESPN Junior X Games presented by TOYOTA.

Witnessing the document signing was Guest of Honour, the Honourable Dato' Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Minister of Youth and Sports. Mr John Davies, General Manager, International X Games, represented ESPN.

The Asian X Games Qualifier and ESPN Junior X Games presented by TOYOTA will take place annually in Kuala Lumpur, starting 27 January - 3 February 2002.

In welcoming guests to the ceremony, Dato' Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said that "Malaysia is delighted to have been given honour of hosting the Asian X Games Qualifier and Junior X Games in Kuala Lumpur from 2002 to 2004". Describing the growth of extreme sports worldwide and in Asia as "phenomenal", the Minister said that he is "confident that extreme sports will flourish in Malaysia" and looks forward "to Malaysia becoming a regional center for extreme sports in Asia".

"Malaysia will work hard to make the Games an extraordinary success and we look forward to welcoming teams, sponsors and guests to Kuala Lumpur in 2002, 2003 and 2004," concluded Dato' Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

"ESPN is excited that the Asian X Games events will be hosted by Malaysia," said John Davies. "Malaysia's history with international sporting events such as the Commonwealth Games, the Formula One Grand Prix and the World Cup of Golf leaves no doubt that this country is a force in large-scale sporting ventures.

"The Qualifier is already a highlight of the Asian sporting calendar; the commitment and enthusiasm of the Ministry of Youth and Sport, together with Malaysia's superb facilities will contribute to the continued growth of this event," Davies continued.

Background to the Asian X Games Qualifier

The Asian X Games Qualifier was first held in 1998 and is the most prestigious multi-event competition for action sports in Asia. Between 1998 and 2000 it took place on Phuket Island, Thailand.

Showcasing 250 of Asia-Pacific's best action sport athletes the event serves as a qualifier to the US Summer X Games, the pinnacle of global action sports competition. Athletes compete in aggressive in-line skating, bicycle stunt, skateboarding, sport climbing and wakeboarding. The Junior event, inaugurated in 1999, brings together 130 children aged 14 years and under in the spirit of fun competition modelled after the senior Games.

In 2000, ESPN expanded the competition through the Xtours presented by TOYOTA, a series of pre-qualifiers to the regional event. This year, Tours will be held in Shanghai, Bangkok, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Singapore. The Tours are the only avenue for entry into the regional competition taking place in Kuala Lumpur next January.

The move from Thailand to Malaysia is part of the X Games tradition of holding the event at a new location every few years. This transition brings the X franchise to new markets around the region, developing the sport and the athletes across Asia.

ESPN will televise the Asian event to more than 140 million homes around the globe. In addition, EXPN.com, the action sports and culture website and ESPN.com will offer extensive coverage of the Games.

In 2001 ESPN will launch X Games Qualifiers and Junior X Games in Europe, Australia, South America and Japan. A global challenge is also planned, pitting athletes from each of the Qualifiers against one another. The Asian X Games Qualifier was the first international qualifier and remains the template for the future.

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