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International pop superstar Ronan Keating, famous for such hit songs as "If tomorrow never comes" and "When you say nothing at all," yesterday officially launched the CNVLD-ANZ Royal Wheelies Grand Prix 2007.
The CNVLD is one of the only professionally managed league- based sports programmes in Cambodia and won a United Nations Best Practices Award for Sport and Development in 2006 for its pioneering work with the rehabiltiation of landmine victims.
At a press conference held at the CNVLD Wheelchair Racing headquarters here in Phnom Penh, Keating met with representatives from the race organizers as well as some of the country's top wheelchair racing athletes and presented a cheque from ANZ Royal representing the bank's support as main sponsor of this year's race season.
Chav Kakda, ANZ Royal Head of Community Relations, said, "ANZ Royal's support for CNVLD Wheelchair Racing is the company's way of showing its commitment to uplifting the local community through sports. ANZ Royal firmly believes in the ability of sports to instil in individuals the drive to be their best and the value of teamwork." She further added, "For this reason, the public is certain to see ANZ Royal becoming even more actively involved in sports in Cambodia."
Recognizing Ronan Keating's numerous off-stage works for charity, ANZ Royal saw it fit to ask the Irish-born singer to represent the bank as it formally hands over its donation to CNVLD. Keating most recently ran the London Marathon in support of Cancer Research UK raising 5000 pounds in memory of his mother. As a result of his charitable work, Ronan Keating was appointed as a United Nations Goodwill Ambasador in 2005.
After the press conference, Ronan Keating returned to the CNVLD office to meet privately with the athletes to discuss their experiences. Mr Kon Kang, 42, a double amputee landmine victim and the fastest Cambodian wheelchair racer, Ms Touch Nary, a 24 year old single mother who lost both legs in a traffic accident and Mr Seoun Vanna, 24, the up and coming superstar racer born with polio, all beamed with pride at Ronan taking the time to talk to them personally and they later attended his concert. Acknowledging the importance of sport for improving the health and self esteem of persons with a disability, Ronan wished them all the best in the upcoming CNVLD-ANZ Royal Wheelie Grand Prix 2007.
The 30-year old singer hit the headlines for being the biggest western celebrity to ever schedule a major performance in Cambodia. This event is part of Keating's ongoing three-leg tour of Asia. Playing before an enthusiastic crowd of thousands at his concert held at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Keating's show clearly reflected Cambodia's capability to host international standard events.
Source: Stand Up Cambodia
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