Contributed by Timothy Khoo

Tuesday, December 1, 2009 – SIM Global Education, one of the largest private education and training institutions in Singapore, has taken up a three-year title sponsorship of the Singapore Open Windsurfing Championship, the biggest event on the Singapore windsurfing calendar.

The 2010 edition which will take place from 8 to 10 January 2010 will be renamed the SIM 29th Singapore Open Windsurfing Championship.

An annual event which sees top local windsurfers and the best in the region battling it out for top honours, the Singapore Open has attracted top windsurfers from Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia including the likes of seasoned Olympic campaigner and multiple Asian Games and SEA Games gold medalist Oka Sulaksana, former ISAF World Youth champion Ho Chi Ho and 2007 SEA Games gold medalist Phanuthat Ruamsap.

Mr Lee Kwok Cheong, CEO for SIM Global Education said: "SIM Global Education is proud to sponsor the Singapore Open Windsurfing Championship for the next three years. This sponsorship is in line with our holistic approach in encouraging our youths to not only succeed academically but to also nurture their interest and potential in other areas such as sports and the arts.

“Supporting this windsurfing event will provide an arena for our local windsurfing teams, including SIM’s very own, to compete with the best in the region and hone their skills.”

A bigger turnout from the region is expected for next year's event as it would be used by many countries, including Singapore, to prepare for the Techno 293 Asian Championships in Pattaya in January 2010, the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in August 2010 as well as the 16th Guangzhou Asian Games in November 2010.

All set for the Singapore Open is Asian Youth Games Bronze medalist Audrey Yong. 15-year-old Audrey who will be heading to Pattaya for the Techno 293 Asian Championships after the Singapore Open is hoping to better her performance at this year's event where she came in 5th, two places behind Thailand's Siripon Kaewduang-Ngam who is the Asian Youth Games Gold medalist.

Said Audrey: "I’m happy that we have a bigger Singapore Open next year and cash prizes will be offered, with SIM on board. Competition will be tougher with more competitors expected for next year's event. Nonetheless, I hope to do well and of course, the cash prize is an added source of motivation!”

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing between Windsurfing Association Singapore and SIM Global Education will be held on 5 December 2009 to mark the partnership between the two parties for the event and members of the media are invited to attend the MOU signing. The event will be witnessed by CEO of SIM Global Education, Lee Kwok Cheong and Vice President, Singapore Sailing Federation, BG(RET) Loh Kok Hua.