| MUMBAI:
Shanghai will host ESPN's Kia X Games Asia 2007 from 3-5 May. This is the first
time that X Games Asia will be held in China. More than 200 of the world's top
action sports athletes from more than 20 countries and five continents will compete
in the three-day event and feature multiple disciplines, including Aggressive
In-Line Skate, Skateboard, BMX Freestyle, Sport Climbing as well as a Moto X demonstration.
The games will be co-organised by Shanghai Media Group (SMG),
a Chinese-language media and entertainment company. The KIA
X Games 2007 is sanctioned by ESPN, ESPN Star Sports and the
Chinese Extreme Sports Association and hosted by SMG, Shanghai
Sports Federation, Yang Pu District Government and KIC Jiang
Wan Stadium.
ESPN consumer products Ssenior VP, GM
and X Games Franchise MD Rick Alessandri says, “As the X Games franchise
has continued to progress and grow internationally, we truly believe the demand
for action sports on a global level is already very significant, and that the
excitement of the X Games transcends across all cultures. “Our goal
has always been to serve action sports and its fans wherever they may be, and
we are delighted to bring Kia X Games Asia to China for the next three years.” Kia Motors, a presenting
sponsor of X Games Asia since 2005, has renewed their support with a three-year
title sponsorship deal to build the event in China in an effort to further differentiate
Kia's young and adventurous brand image in China and other Asian markets.
Kia Motors senior executive VP and COO Yong-Hwan Kim says, “We wanted to
strengthen our association with this exciting event, which has become recognised
in many circles as the Action Sports Olympics of Asia. “The X Games
is becoming an increasingly popular event, with attention from audiences both
in Asia and beyond. We also see this event as an incredibly fast growing sport
in China and this gives us the ideal platform to increase recognition of the Kia
brand among the younger generation.” | 
