Thanks to Johan P. the press officer at Kings of Tennis for forwarding the official media statement to me issued by Ming, KH & Associated Sdn Bhd on behalf of Kings of Tennis.
Here's the content of the release. To download the file, click here and "save file to your PC".
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KINGS OF TENNIS EVENT CANCELLED
11 November 2008: As the producers of the Kings of Tennis concept, we wish to inform and confirm that we have with regret, removed the players from participating in the Kings of Tennis event scheduled to take place in Georgetown, Penang on 14-16 November 2008. Consequently, the event has been cancelled as we notified the local promoter/organiser last week.
We express our sincere apologies to the public and all those parties concerned but we simply could not provide the players without payment of promised funds that did not materialise despite a number of ultimatums given to the local promoter/organiser by our organisation.
Kings of Tennis
I believe we will see the official news in papers tomorrow and on how you can get your refund back.
Updates:
Official news of event cancellation is available at The Star today.
7 comment(s):
Malay Mail carried a more extensive coverage on the matter today.
End of the line for Penang's Kings of Tennis
By Haresh Deol
THERE'S so much of hype and excitment and yet it remains a fantasy as the 'Kings of Tennis' scheduled this weekend at the Esplanade in Penang has been cancelled.
There were talks of unrest in the boardroom among several individuals earlier but it was rubbished by local promoter Arianna Teoh last week.
The former beauty queen later told a Press conference at the location that the tournament will go on as planned.
Despite the assurance, Kings of Tennis managing director Lasse Olsson had, in fax statement circulated yesterday, annouced the cancellation of the highly anticipated event.
The statement read; "The event has been cancelled as we notified the local promoter/organiser last week.
"We express our sincere apologies to the public and all those parties concerned but we simply could not provide the players without payment of promised funds that did not materialise despite a number of ultimatums given to the local promoter/organiser by our organisation."
This was confirmed by Teoh after a meeting with several legal representatives last last night.
"It's cancelled. I am very sad and we are very dissapointed for the people of Penang.
"Please refer to the producers for more information as I cannot comment at this point," she said in a text message to Mailsport.
Among the legendary players expected to play include Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Roy Emerson and Stefan Edberg.
It remains unclear as to who will now bear the costs of the millions spent on the makeshift court, the broadcasting rights and the advertisments for the event.
Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia president Datuk Abdul Razak Latif and tennis enthusiasts in Penang were taken aback with the turn of events.
"It's really shocking and I don't know anything about it," said Abdul Razak.
"If it's true then it's a shame as so much money has been spent.
"Also the event would have been an excellent way to promote tennis and Penang."
The Kings of Tennis is in no way connnected to the Showdown of Champions in Kuala Lumpur.
Thanks, Ace.
Well, that's it for Kings of Tennis posts for now. The organiser has a lot to do for now. But I hope they will refund the money back to tennis fans, and I mean FAST!
Let's concentrate on Showdown of Champions scheduled next week.
i heard from arianna thta there might be a free concert held at the same venue. what a shame.
Hi chanhowmun, at this moment, I don't want to add salt to a wound.
All I can say is there are still other events in store for Penangites and tourists to Penang.
Check out the Visit Penang site to see the upcoming events for November: http://www.visitpenang.gov.my/portal/upcoming-events.html
guess i will just stay home and watch the Tennis Master Cup this weekend...
anon, that's a good idea ;)
Well, there's one thing you can be sure to get in Penang...char keow teow, nasi kandar and teh-tarik...oh yes...corruption and crime...everything else, like world-class whatever, you've got to go down to singapore...
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