Samsung India kicks off its program for the 16th Asian Games at Guangzhou, China

Digital technology leader, Samsung India Electronics Pvt. Ltd. today kicked off its Asian Games Program with the launch of the Samsung 'Sports Ratna Program' whereby the Company is providing scholarship support to 10 top Indian athletes as they prepare for the forthcoming Guangzhou Asian Games. Samsung India is the 'Official Partner' for the Indian Contingent and Samsung Electronics, the parent Company, is the 'Prestige Partner' to the 16th Asian Games being held at Guangzhou, China from November 12-27, 2010.

Samsung 'Sports Ratna Program' is in line with the Samsung 'Olympic Ratna Program' carried out by the Company for the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, wherein the Company had supported top ranking athletes across individual sports disciplines with their training expenses while preparing for the games. Abhinav Bindra, Gold Medal Winner at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, has been a Samsung Olympic Ratna for both the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2008 Olympic Games. His association with Samsung continues into the 'Sports Ratna Program' for the 16th Asian Games.

The other athletes who are part of the Samsung 'Sports Ratna Program' for 16th Asian Games are :

Shooters : Manavjit Singh Sandhu; Gagan Narang; Ranjan Sodhi

Boxers : Vijender Singh; Akhil Kumar; Nano Singh Thakchom, Mayengbam Suranjoy Singh

Wrestlers : Sushil Kumar; Ramesh Kumar

Announcing the launch of the Samsung 'Sports Ratna Program', Mr. J. S. Shin, President & CEO, Samsung South West Asia stated, "Sports has a special place in the hearts of the people in India as in other parts of the world. At Samsung too, we have had longstanding association with major sporting events around the globe. In India, beyond consistently providing support for the Indian Contingent to the Asian Games and Olympics over the years, we have instituted the Scholarship Program with the objective of nurturing and developing Indian sporting talent. Encouraged by the success of our 'Olympic Ratna Program' at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, this year we have increased the number of athletes being supported for the Asian Games to 10 sports persons. Our association with the Asian Games to support the Indian Contingent and these top performing athletes is our contribution to enriching the sporting culture in the country."

Lauding Samsung's continued support and commitment to the Asian Games and Olympic programs, Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, President of the Indian Olympic Association said, "I hope that the 'Samsung Scholarship' for individual players and the Company's support to the Indian Olympic Association for the entire team will yield strong and positive results resulting in a richer medal tally for the country."

Mr. Randhir Singh, Secretary General of the OCA and Member, International Olympic Committee appreciated the initiative taken by Samsung towards supporting the training of the individual athletes and its commitment to strengthening the global sports movement by supporting global sporting events like the Asian Games and the Olympics.

Samsung India's association with the Indian Olympic Association commenced with the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games and ever since the Company has supported the Indian Contingent to the Y2000 Sydney Olympics, Y2002 Busan Asian Games, the Y2004 Athens Olympics, the 2008 Beijing Olympics and now the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games.

For further information, please contact:

Samsung India
Ruchika Batra
Tel: 0124-4881234
Email ruchika.b@samsung.com