Skateboard legend Tony Hawk goes Urban as Laureus stage Skateboard Clinic in Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR, March 24, 2014 - Young skateboarders from all around Kuala Lumpur flocked to Mont Kiara Skate Park to hang out with the greatest of them all – the incomparable Tony Hawk.

Laureus World Sports Academy Member Hawk is a skateboard legend with a massive worldwide following and his visit to Mont Kiara for a Laureus skateboard clinic, ahead of the Laureus World Sports Awards on March 26, was a dream come true for the teenagers involved.

The success of the event and the enthusiasm of the young urban skateboarders highlighted the inspirational work of Laureus Ambassadors in using sport to inspire people.

Tony Hawk did some demonstration tricks, shared tips and took part in a motivational discussion. He said: "It was fun to meet the guys and talk with them. We got to know each other and shared skating tips. This is the real heart of Laureus; we’re not only in Malaysia just for the Laureus Awards Ceremony, we want to get out and encourage youth to be active just like I did at Kiara. I am hoping they are inspired to get their friends involved and inspire others in the process."

To put on the clinic, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation teamed up with the Malaysian Extreme Sports Association (MESA), which is the governing body for action sports in Malaysia and which is dedicated to the growth, progression, unity and expansion of sports such as skateboarding in the country.

Located in Bukit Kiara, the youth sports centre caters to extreme sports enthusiasts with an X-Game park and wall-climbing facilities. It is the first and only covered X Game park in Kuala Lumpur and was used for the Asian Extreme Sports Championship last year which had world class athletes from 19 countries taking part.

The 15th Laureus World Sports Awards, which recognise sporting achievement during the calendar year 2013, is the premier honours event on the international sporting calendar. The winners, as voted by the Laureus World Sports Academy, the ultimate sports jury, made up of 46 of the greatest sportsmen and sportswomen of all time, will be unveiled at a globally televised Awards Ceremony staged at Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur.

Proceeds from the Laureus World Sports Awards directly benefit and underpin the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which supports more than 140 community sports projects in 34 countries. Since its inception, Laureus has raised over €60 million for projects which have improved the lives of millions of young people.

Yayasan Rakyat 1Malaysia (YR1M) is the corporate social responsibility partner of the Laureus World Sports Awards and has been working with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation to help young people in Malaysia through the use of sport. Edwin Moses said: "We are not just in Malaysia for the Laureus Awards. We have been working with YR1M to do what we can to help young people. We are really delighted to be working with such excellent partners as YR1M and we hope our activities will make a difference."

YB Dato' Seri Mohamed Nazri, Minister of Tourism & Culture of Malaysia, said: "Kuala Lumpur is honoured to have been given the privilege of hosting the prestigious 2014 Laureus World Sports Awards and the city looks forward to staging this internationally-renowned event and welcoming a plethora of sporting legends to Malaysia. This is a sports-loving country and I can promise warm Malaysian hospitality awaits all our guests. Coupled with international events such as the Monsoon Cup and Formula One Grand Prix, we are supremely confident that Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is the perfect host for a sporting event with such global significance. I am positive this will be an event to remember for all involved."

For further information please contact:

Virginie Bernon

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