| Pairs infront of the pack in Asia |
| Thursday, 21 June 2007 | |
 International Pairs has pulled off a major coup after sealing a deal with one of the world’s leading sports marketing companies to become their new partner for Asia.
Infront Sports and Media have signed an agreement with International Pairs to run and promote the world’s largest tournament of its kind for club golfers in the Far East. Infront Sports and Media, who are based in Zug, Switzerland, have offices in ten countries across Europe and Asia including in Singapore and China and International Pairs managing director Ross Honey is relishing the chance to work with the sports marketing giants. Honey, who founded the Hampshire company in 1998, said: “It’s fantastic news that we are expanding into Asia. “We hadn’t anticipated doing that until at 2009 but being introduced and working with Infront Sports will enable us to enjoy expansion at a much greater rate than we initially envisaged. “Promoting International Pairs in Asia is a great challenge and one we’re all very excited about what lies ahead.” Infront Sports and Media are specialist providers for sport and work with sports federations, organising committees and sponsors in promoting a wide range of different products. The global company’s subsidiary group Host Broadcast Services (HBS) handled the host broadcast for last year’s FIFA World Cup in Germany - the biggest television audience for any sports event in the world - while they have already secured rights for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Beatrice Lee, xxx (need job title) for Infront Sports and Media, said: “Infront Sports has significant new business in China and we’re delighted at the opportunity to work with International Pairs. “Both companies have exciting plans to expand in Asia and this agreement will help both groups achieve a bigger foothold in an ever-growing market.” More than 15 million people are estimated to play golf in Asia while there are approximately 200 courses alone in China. But up to 1,000 more courses are in the process of being built or will be constructed in the near future as the golf market develops in tandem with the local economy and worldwide interest grows in the Far East. There will be another landmark for International Pairs at this year’s world final at Fairmont St Andrews, Scotland, when pairs from China and Thailand will become the first golfers from their countries to play in the event. Honey added: “It has always been our aim for countries from all corners of the globe to be represented at the world final. “We are building a worldwide family and China and Thailand’s presence in Scotland will help make it a truly global occasion.” International Pairs has been backed by VisitScotland for the last five years – and the national Scottish tourist body has committed to be the tournament’s main sponsor until at least 2008. |