The New Straits Times Online: Raja Permaisuri boost for Team Malaysia
By : Ajitpal Singh
THE Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin will be hoping for a perfect start at the World Endurance Championships as his consort, the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah has been given the honour to flag off the race on Nov 7.
The event will be held at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, Setiu.
WEC event manager Azrin Zuhdi said Tuanku Nur is all excited about flagging off the race and watching Tuanku Mizan in action.
"Her role in the race will definitely inspire Tuanku Mizan and the other local riders to make an impression at the event," said Azrin at the TIEP yesterday.
Twelve Malaysian riders will be competing, both in the individual and team events at the world meet.
Malaysia's best hope is in the team-of-four event.
"Malaysian riders stand almost no chance in the individual category but there's a chance of making a grade in the team event, which will have 22 countries competing," said Azrin.
The favourites for the team event are Spain, France, Brazil and Australia.
Meanwhile, Denmark's only qualifier Inger Elisabeth Pitter Bertelsen has pulled out, which means 33 countries, comprising 141 riders, will be competing.
Azrin said Bertelsen and his ride Raouel Ox suffered an accident during training last week.
"Bertelsen decided to withdraw as his horse is suffering from lameness."
Meanwhile, the MAS Airbus A300 successfully transported 15 horses, including Tuanku Mizan's horse Taljari Moonlight Pharoah from Australia, yesterday.
It was the Airbus A300's maiden flight to the Sultan Mahmud International Airport.
The C130, carrying nine horses from Argentina and Uruguay, also landed at the airport.
The Boeing 747, a direct flight from Amsterdam, will be arriving with 30 horses today.
New Straits Times Online - full article
No comments:
Post a Comment