KUALA TERENGGANU, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Wednesday urged the corporate sector to regard Malaysia's very own sailing competition, the Monsoon Cup, as not just a sporting event but one that will also encourage tourism and the development of marine-based industries.

The Prime Minister said the sport should be understood and appreciated by Malaysians so that the objectives of the Monsoon Cup would have maximum impact.

"The Monsoon Cup should be regarded as not just a sporting event but one that will also encourage tourism and the development of marine-based industries.

"Hence, the corporate sector should play a bigger role through sponsorships to strengthen the efforts of the government in making the Monsoon Cup a success," he said in the foreword of the booklet on the Monsoon Cup 2006 which was opened today by Terengganu's Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.

Abdullah is scheduled to close the five-day world-class event in Pulau Duyong on Sunday.

Twelve international and local teams are competing for the grand prize of RM1 million.

Abdullah said never before had the monsoon season created such interest and attracted so many people to visit the country.

"Before this, people stayed away during the monsoon season, but now they visit the country and everybody has something to do.

"I was delighted to observe the worldwide interest in the Monsoon Cup 2005. The success of the inaugural Monsoon Cup has shown that there is always a positive side to a negative situation and we can always make the best of it.

"We have to change our perception to become more competitive as we try to achieve Vision 2020. I was happy to see the Monsoon Cup 2005 bringing us closer to the goal." he said.

Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said said the Monsoon Cup had proven to be a catalyst in creating awareness of sailing as a competitive sport of resilience, speed and teamwork, besides showcasing Terengganu as a top-notch sailing destination in the making.

-- BERNAMA