Asian Tour chief couldn't be happier as season tees off
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The Asian Tour's 2010 season is in full swing and, despite the still struggling global economy and the emergence of the rival OneAsia tour, the organization's executive chairman, Kyi Hla Han,couldn't be happier.
"All indications point to a strong 2010 season for the Asian Tour," Han recently told China Daily.
"Sponsors are keen to bring new events on to the Asian Tour while others are looking to increase their prizemoney which is also good news," the former professional golfer from Myanmar said.
"We have announced the launch of new tournaments in Taipei, the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship, the Avantha Masters in India and also the return of the Myanmar Open after a four-year lapse.
"Additionally, we also announced the launch of the inaugural Asian Development Tour which is structured similarly to the Nationwide Tour in America and European Challenge Tour where it will act as a feeder to the Asian Tour," he said.
While refusing to be drawn into the threat of the OneAsia tour to his relatively new organization, Han said the Asia Tour was run for the players by the players.
"Our structure is clear we are here for the players' development and careers. Through our Tournament Players Committee, our players have the right to determine their future and destiny, very much like in 2004 when they broke away from the former Asian PGA.
"This clearly defines the role and position of the Asian Tour whose objectives are to create a career pathway for players and enhance the careers of our members through playing opportunities.
"The Asian Tour is structured to reinvest all funds generated into events for the players and we are not commercially driven. We create a level playing field for all sports marketing agencies to bring tournaments on to the Asian Tour through standard sanctioning terms."
It would appear that two strong tours in Asia could only be good for a sport, which is starting to boom in the region, and received a huge lift late last year when golf was voted to return to the Olympic Games at Rio in 2016 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
"As of Jan 31, there were a total of 15 Asian Tour members who are ranked inside the top 200 of the Official World Golf Rankings and through last season the numbers rose to 20 players in the top 200," Han, 49, said.
"Ten years ago, there were probably only five to eight members in the top 200. This shows the growing strength of Asian Tour players. Also, our members have consistently performed well on the international stage. Y.E. Yang, who is an honorary member of the Asian Tour, won the PGA Championship where he beat Tiger Woods last year to become Asia's first major champion. His success is a clear reflection of the rising standard in Asian golf.
"The Asian Tour also welcomes the landmark decision by the IOC to reinstate golf into the Olympic program. Already a global sport, the growth of golf will certainly grow exponentially, especially across the Asian region," Han said.
