ANAKIN ALI MAKES HISTORY IN PUTRAJAYA

It is not often that a young athlete aged eight years and six months makes history. This is the happy news from Putrajaya, Malaysia. Young Anakin Ali landed his first jump at the Putrajaya Maritime Centre where Malaysia’s athletes of the future have been based over the past year.  This is no small achievement. Following the staging of the successful Waterski World Cup Stop in 2008, the Malaysia Water Ski Federation (MWSF) set about creating a comprehensive programme to develop Waterskiers and Riders in a very professional way. Young Anakin has now proved that the World Cup legacy has major benefits. Congratulations to Anakin and the Malaysia Water Ski Federation. For our World Cup team, this is also great news. One of the major objectives from the start 29 World Cup Stops ago, was to act as the catalyst to bringing as many new youngsters to our sport and especially in countries new to our sport. We have all heard of the sad news of the accident which has hospitalised World Cup Star Kyle Eade yesterday and wish him a speedy recovery at this worrying time for him and his family. Kyle was actually one of several well known international coaches brought to Putrajaya to help their impressive training programme for youngsters with promise. We know he will be delighted to hear the news of Anakin’s history making jump.

Anakin landed his first jump on his first day !  Before leaving for the lake this morning, Anakin said “I’m doing this for Kyle”. Make a note of that name as we are very likely to hear a lot more of Anakin Ali in the future.