KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- CIMB Foundation (“the Foundation”) today announced its partnership with Junior Cycling Malaysia (“JCM”) for a period of three years (2018 – 2020) to nurture young talents in cycling, through a programme called CIMB-JCM Junior Development Programme. JCM is an initiative run by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) and National Sports Council of Malaysia (MSN), to develop cycling in Malaysia at all levels, from beginners to racing champions.

The CIMB-JCM Junior Development Programme was launched by YB Khairy Jamaluddin, KBS Minister, at a launching ceremony graced by Datuk Ahmad Shapawi, Director-General of MSN; Tengku Dato' Sri Zafrul Aziz, Group Chief Executive, CIMB Group; and Dato' Hamidah Naziadin, CEO of CIMB Foundation.

CIMB Foundation's support will help build JCM's talent pipeline for discovering and nurturing potential champions from as young as seven to become elite cyclists in a structured and systematic manner. CIMB Foundation will also be sponsoring an eight-member squad for the Australia Tour scheduled for December 2017. The cyclists are due to race in a series of track and road championships for a month.

Dato' Hamidah Naziadin commented, “Youths represent a major beneficiary group under CIMB Foundation's programmes because they represent the hopes of our future. We are excited about this partnership with JCM, as it supports the Foundation's focus on sustainable projects with lasting impact on our beneficiaries. We are confident that this partnership with JCM will establish a robust talent pipeline for future Malaysian champions in cycling.”

CIMB Group recently announced that 1% of the Group's profit before tax will be channelled to CIMB Foundation for CSR initiatives across ASEAN for the period 2018 - 2020. The announcement was made by Dato' Sri Nazir Razak, Chairman of CIMB Group during the commemoration of CIMB Foundation's 10th Year Anniversary on 11 November.

“CIMB Group's commitment to spend annually 1% of the Group's PBT in the preceding year will triple CIMB's annual financial spend on CSR over the next three years, enabling the Foundation to significantly enhance and replicate successful projects through its three core pillars i.e., community development, sports and education, with the aim of empowering larger communities and changing even more lives across the region. I‟m also happy to share that CIMB Foundation will also be guided by the principles of "Diversity and Inclusion“ for all its activities, to promote better communal relations and nurture cross-cultural understanding among beneficiary target groups,” continued Hamidah.

JCM, which was incorporated in April 2016, has organised 13 criterium championships, three road races, 1 time trial, 1 track and 1 BMX championship to date. Apart from that, JCM also organises cycling skills clinics at selected schools to promote safe cycling as well as to scout for fresh cycling talent. Young cyclists with potential will also be exposed to a series of tours in Europe and Australia to get them used to competitive cycling at the international level. 

ABOUT CIMB FOUNDATION

CIMB Foundation is a non-profit organisation set up to implement CIMB Group's corporate social responsibility and philanthropic initiatives. Established in November 2007, CIMB Foundation is tasked with strategising and implementing corporate responsibility initiatives, disbursing millions to various programmes related to community development, sports and education.

The Foundation believes in long-term sustainable growth and giving back to society. Its initiatives are aimed at empowering communities in a transparent, measurable and accountable way to enable them to be independent and enhance development. The Foundation focuses on three specific areas: Community
Development, Sports and Education.

In the past 10 years, CIMB Foundation has disbursed about RM120 million through 962 projects benefiting 700,000 people in the communities served by CIMB Group, making CIMB Foundation one of ASEAN's leading CSR champions.

SOURCE : CIMB Group

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name : Suria Zainal
Head - Group Corporate Communications
Group CEO’s Office
CIMB Group Holdings Berhad
Tel : +603 - 2261 0638
Email: suriawati.zainal@cimb.com

--BERNAMA