2008 Asian X Games Announced: April 9, 2008

theshrew19

• April 09 2008
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The tenth edition of the world’s signature action sports competition expects to draw bigger crowds after last year’s successful event. 

Expect more action sports and entertainment when the KIA X Games Asia, Asia’s signature action sports competition, returns to Shanghai’s Jiangwan Stadium on April 30 - May 3 2008, organized by Asia’s No. 1 sports broadcaster ESPN STAR Sports with the Shanghai Media Group and the Shanghai Sports Federation.

The event has already earned a strong global reputation with a significant increase in awareness about action sports in the region. Last year’s event was enthusiastically received by the Shanghai community, with massive crowds enjoying three days of high-flying action sports performed by world-class athletes as well as exciting entertainment acts.  

The four-day event, themed as X’PRESS WITHOUT LIMITS, is considered the pinnacle of global action sports competition with more than 200 top athletes from more than 20 countries and five continents competing in the iconic event. Chinese action sports fans can look forward to world-class competition in skateboard, BMX freestyle, in-line skate and sport climbing, as well as a new competition called Moto X Step Up.   

KIA X Games Asia 2008 Hits the Road in China
Crowds of action sports enthusiasts got a taste of the action at last weekend’s first KIA X Games Asia 2008 roadshow at Beijing’s SOGO Shopping Centre – two days of jaw-dropping BMX freestyle and in-line skating stunts, break-dance and musical performances, and interactive activities including a skate clinic for future KIA X Games athletes in training!  Shanghai action sports fans can look forward to these high-energy roadshows coming to a venue near you in the next few weeks: 

19-20 April 2008: Yandang Rd. Pedestrian Street (near Huaihai Rd.)
26-27 April 2008: Wanda Shopping Mall

Young fans will have the chance to enjoy the KIA X Games Asia experience with an exhilarating line up of interactive activities, and get a glimpse into the unique and pulsating culture of action sports with choreographed shows by in-line and BMX athletes. In addition, visitors have the opportunity to win attractive prizes when they try their hand at the exciting interactive mini-skate park supervised by instructors. With thrilling break-dancing performances in between demonstrations, spectators will be sure to never have a dull moment! 

Powering the Growth and Popularity of Action Sports
The first X’PRESS WITHOUT LIMITS competition in 2007 was the catalyst for a surge in interest in action sports in China, and title sponsor Kia Motors Corporation expects to build on this popularity in 2008. Kia Motors, who has sponsored the event since 2005, has signed on until 2009. 

Mr Hyoung-Keun Lee, Senior Executive Vice President & COO, Kia Motors International Business Division, said: “Kia Motors has been committed to sports and athletes around the world for a number of years, and we are especially proud to support young, Gen-Y athletes again in China, where we have been focusing many of our efforts. The passion for action sports shown at the KIA X Games Asia falls directly in line with our young-at-heart and adventurous brand aspirations.”  

Created by ESPN in 1995, the X Games is widely considered as the elite action sports competition, and a vehicle for expressing individuality and pushing one’s limits. The event celebrates the cool and trendy culture of the Generation X and Y youths of today and the KIA X Games Asia continues this tradition in China with live musical performances from popular and up-and-coming young artists, break-dancing, DJs spinning the hottest tracks, prize giveaways and other fun and interactive activities. 

About the KIA X Games Asia
 The KIA X Games Asia is the rregion’s most prestigious multi-event competition for action sports organised by Asia’s No. 1 sports broadcaster ESPN STAR Sports, and will showcase 200 of the best action sport athletes from over 20 countries and five continents as they compete in BMX freestyle, aggressive in-line skating, skateboarding and sport climbing and Moto X Step Up competition by some of the world’s best riders.  

The X Games Asia was first held in 1998 in Phuket, Thailand and continued to draw enthusiastic crowds until 2001. From 2002-2004, the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur was home to the Asian X Games. In 2005, the event was hosted in Seoul, Korea before returning to Kuala Lumpur again in 2006. The KIA X Games Asia was held for the first time in Shanghai, China last year. 

ESPN first developed its X Games franchise in 1995. As part of ESPN Content Development, the X Games, Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports programming currently shown on ESPN. In addition to the two U.S.-based events, ESPN has held X Games competitions and demonstration events around the world, including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, Korea, Malaysia, China and Spain.  The global franchise has also expanded its reach to EXPN.com, the definitive site for action sports fans, and to consumer products such as X Games bikes, protective gear, skateboards and DVDs. 

Considered the pinnacle of global action sports competition, the KIA X Games Asia 2008 will be televised live from April 30 to May 3, 2008 from the KIC Jiangwan Sports Center, Yang Pu District. Visit the official websites www.Kiaxgamesasia.com and www.espnstar.com for more information and contests.  

Sponsors and Partners
 The KIA X Games Asia 2008 enjoys sponsorship support from Title Sponsor Kia Motors Corporation and Apparel Sponsor Pony. It is also supported by Official Hotel Howard Johnson Caida Plaza Shanghai, Official Media Partner Shanghai Times and ETicket as the ticketing agent. 

The event is proudly sanctioned by the Chinese Extreme Sports Association and is organized by ESPN STAR Sports, the Shanghai Media Group and the Shanghai Sports Federation. The Shanghai Yang Pu District Government is the event’s Special Organizer and the Shanghai Sports Competition Management Centre is the Co-Organizer while the Shanghai Extreme Sports Association is the Supporting Organiser. The KIC Jiangwan Sports Center is the Official Venue.