Thailand to host first Asian X Games qualifier

JAKARTA (JP): The monetary crisis, which still has most ASEAN countries reeling, has not deterred Thailand in hosting the first Asian X Games qualifier in Phuket from April 22 to April 26.

The organizers expect more than 200 athletes from Asia and Australia to compete at the event which will exhibit five extreme sports categories. They are aggressive-in-line skating, skateboarding, bicycle stunts, sportclimbing and wakeboarding.

Athletes will fight for US$80,000 in prize money and a berth at the 1998 US X Games, which will be held in San Diego, California, from June 19 to June 28.

The X Games, which is known as the sports of the future, was created by ESPN in 1995. The Games in Thailand will also be broadcast by ESPN STAR Sports together with CH& channel.

ESPN STAR Sports managing director, Alexander Brown, said: "We are very excited about bringing the X Games to Asia with the Asian X Games Qualifier. Not only will we develop and enhance the awareness of extreme sports throughout Asia at a grassroots level, we will also be showcasing the promising extreme sports talent in Asia and put it on the world map." (yan)