Asia's first johan Cruyff Institute for Sports Studies to open in Iskandar Malaysia

SINGAPORE:The Johan Cruyff Institute for Sports Studies (JCI), the Pelorus Dutch Sports Technology (PDST) Sdn Bhd and
Education@Iskandar Sdn Bhd (EISB) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish the Johan Cruyff Institute Malaysia (JCIM) in EduCity, Iskandar Malaysia (EduCity@Iskandar).

A definitive agreement is expected to be signed within six months to establish JCI’s pioneering institute of sports management in Asia.

Renowned for its Total Athlete Development programme, JCI grooms athletes, former athletes, coaches and sports leaders to develop their sports management skills and become educated leaders in the world of sports. PDST will be responsible for the business and administrative framework of JCIM including recruitment, branding and academic programme management, Iskandar Malaysia said in a statement issued here on April 27 following the signing of the MoU in Barcelona.

The statement also quoted Dutch soccer legend and founder of JCI Johan Cruyff saying that the idea behind the institute was to provide an environment that would not only cultivate both sporting and academic excellence but also a platform "that weaves a sense of camaraderie within the Asian sporting community.

"The Johan Cruyff Institute Malaysia in EduCity@Iskandar will be in a strong position to fully capitalise on the potential sports market in Asia-Pacific," said Razali Yaacob of PDST. He said the market is expected to be worth US$20.3 billion in 2013, a US$3billion increase from 2009.

President/Chief Executive Officer of Iskandar Investment Bhd and Chairman of EISB Datuk Syed Mohamed Syed Ibrahim, said the Johan Cruyff Institute Malaysia will spearhead critical knowledge transfers in the academic, technical and
marketing fields to boost the region’s sports industry.

He said graduates of the institute will be accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).The sports industry in Malaysia generated RM30.2 billion towards the country’s 2010 national gross income and JCIM is expected to contribute to Malaysia’s transformation as a high-income nation by 2020.

JCIM in EduCity@Iskandar will join JCI’s international network of four institutes, two universities and six colleges in Barcelona, Mexico, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Ecuador, Brazil, South Africa, the United States and the Netherlands. EISB is a member of the Iskandar Investment Group, responsible for the developments in and within EduCity@Iskandar which has already signed agreements to establish five globally-recognised education institutes in the region. -Bernama