Super Soccer Star Kicks Off

New Reality TV Show set to be highest rated

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19: Super Soccer Star, Malaysia’s most exciting soccer reality show, is set to premiere on 7 January 2009 on RTM2, the show’s official broadcaster.

The Super Soccer Star tryout, aimed at attracting young talents aged between 13 and 16 years, garnered the interest of nearly 5,000 applicants. The reality TV programme offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to, not one, but four Malaysian youths a trip to Chelsea FC’s Training Academy in London for a full assessment by its coaching staff. The grand prize winner will then return to London for an official tryout in front of sports coaches, talent scouts and agents.
The show was created by British entertainment giant, Galleon Entertainment plc, and is the first and only reality TV programme that is turning dreams of playing in the EPL into reality for Malaysian youths.

Galleon has teamed up with a local producer, Nafalia Corporation Sdn Bhd, to bring the show to Malaysia after its phenomenal success in China last year. Chelsea FC is Super Soccer Star’s official worldwide partner. Samsung is the main sponsor for the new reality show apart from being the Official Club Sponsor for the Blues.

Speaking at the launch today, Information Ministry Secretary-General, Dato’ Kamaruddin Siaraf said: “With the appealing mixture of reality TV and soccer, we are confident that Super Soccer Star is going to be one of the most talked about shows in Malaysia. We will spare no efforts to ensure exposure and support for this show.”

He said the launch of an internationally recognised show such as Super Soccer Star is in tandem with the launch RTM’s new image come 2009.

Mohd Najib Jaafar, Executive Producer of Nafalia Corporation, said that apart from the training stint in London, the show also serves to identify the first Malaysian Super Soccer Star with a personality to match his soccer talent.

“Through the show’s format, home viewers can join the finalists in their weekly assessments, trials and tribulations, triumphs and despair, and other behind-the-scene heart pumping excitement that reality TV shows are known for,” Najib said.

Insisting on secrecy, Najib also promised that there will be some local A-list celebrities making special appearances on almost every episode of Super Soccer Star. The show, which will air 13 one-hour episodes in its maiden season, promises to engage viewers with excitement and drama, besides the soccer experience involved.

“Tens of thousands of SMS votes have been received since registration began in mid October 2008 in support of nearly 5,000 boys vying to be the next Super Soccer Star. We have been overwhelmed with the nationwide response and impact Super Soccer Star has had on young Malaysians even before the show had actually started airing on RTM2.”

Three hundred “talented and very eager boys” were selected for the official audition to be aired as episode 1 in conjunction with the Super Soccer Star kick-off today. Of this number, only 20 finalists will compete in the ensuing episodes to win the coveted prize.

Gerald Tan, Group Managing Director of Galleon Asia Pacific, said they had targeted Malaysia as the first destination in Super Soccer Star’s expansion to follow and build on the show’s success in China. The decision, he said, leveraged on the fact that Malaysia had a strong following of both the English Premier League and reality TV programmes.

“Even in the recruitment phase, we’ve already seen a charismatic display of football skills, determination and some with the superstar power we’re looking for,” he said.

The ultimate winner from the four finalists, will be selected through a combination of public votes and a panel of judges.

Samsung Malaysia Electronics Sdn Bhd Corporate Marketing Director Bryan Lee said the Super Soccer Star sponsorship was in line with Samsung’s commitment to the development and promotion of sports worldwide, including Malaysia.

“Over the years, Samsung has been connecting people by supporting major sporting events, including the Olympics, Asian Games apart from our association with Chelsea as the Official Club Sponsor.

“We are very pleased with the response during the registration phase for Super Soccer Star. It certainly speaks a lot about the appeal of football as the nation’s leading sport and the enthusiasm among the young talents in Malaysia.”

Home viewers will stand the chance to win priceless autographed Chelsea merchandise, and other fantastic prizes from Samsung, the show’s main sponsor.

Super Soccer Star Malaysia is supported by the Football Association of Malaysia and the Youth & Sports Ministry. For more information, log on to the show’s website at www.supersoccerstar.com.my.