The European and Asian Tour co-sanctioned event will once again be co-sponsored by pay TV provider, Astro and the Jakarta City Tourism Board's “Enjoy Jakarta” program in a bid to further boost Indonesian tourism as well as develop the country's fledgling golf sportsmen.

“We are pleased that this world class event will once again be hosted in Indonesia ,” said Jero Wacik, Chairman of the Indonesian Golf Association (PGI). “Not only is Indonesia home to a number of international class golf courses, but we hope this event will help increase people's awareness of golf as a sport and that this tournament will aid in finding the next generation of golfers in Indonesia.”

He adds that this year's edition of the Indonesia Open offers a US$1.2 million prize purse and this is testimony that the tournament has grown from strength to strength since its inception in 2005.

“Jakarta has already hosted a number of international sporting events in the past, and we hope the return of the Indonesia Open will help consolidate the image of Jakarta as a credible host for future events,” explained Fauzi Bowo, Governor of Jakarta. “Enjoy Jakarta is a program established by the Jakarta Tourism Board to help elevate tourism within the city and sponsorship for this event is in line with our objectives of bringing in more tourism into Jakarta. We are confident the world will see Indonesia in a much different light with the success of the Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open.”

In line with its corporate citizenship initiative, Astro also announced that the company is working together with the Triwarga Foundation for its Golf Goes to School Program. “Golf is a great game for children to learn and can help them become better citizens in preparing their future,” says Miranda Goeltom of the Triwarga Foundation. “ There are many life skills that are taught within the game such as honesty, integrity, judgment, confidence, perseverance and courtesy among others. Thus, golf can help our children prepare for the future by teaching them to focus, set targets, follow rules, analyze, decide, be honest, and to obtain results.”

Since 2005, the Indonesia Open is a highly competitive tournament thanks to the participation of international calibered players such as Mikko Ilonen (2007 Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open champion), Simon Dyson (2006 champion) and Thaworn Wiratchant (2005 champion).

Keith Waters, Director of International Policy for The European Tour, said: “ Indonesia is continuing to grow in stature as a golf destination and, by hosting both the European and Asian Tours at the Cengkareng Golf Club, will continue to develop.”

The tournament venue, the Cengkareng Golf Club, is the club of choice for many Jakarta residents, located just a swing away from the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport . Managed by Hong Kong-based CCA International, the Cengkareng Golf Club was host to the first Indonesia Open in 2005 and has consistently maintained its international standards as a championship golf course.

The Par-70 Championship Course, which plays over 6,301 meters, was designed by renowned American designer Walter Raleigh Stewart and provides intense challenges to its players. It offers a classic California architecture in the best tradition in golf with lush greenery for spectators.

“The Asian Tour players are delighted to return to play in the 2008 edition of the Indonesia Open in Jakarta , at the Cengkareng Golf Club,” said Mr Kyi Hla Han, Chairman of the Asian Tour. “The venue hosted the inaugural Indonesia Open in 2005 and we are confident of the international standards which will be adhered to ensure that the tournament will be one of resounding success.”

Mr. John Eu, the Chief Executive Officer of tournament promoters GlobalOne, said: “It is great news that the tournament is set to return this year to the Cengkareng Golf Club. The fact that the Cengkareng Golf Club has hosted the previous Indonesian Open in the past will ensure a superb 2008 edition of the tournament.”

“This year will be different,” he adds. “The dates for Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open has been moved a week earlier and thus will not be conflicting with any other European or Asian Tour tournaments. In view of this, we can ensure a strong playing field come tournament day.”

About Astro Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open

The Astro Enjoy Jakarta Indonesian Open is now in its fourth year and this year pay TV provider Astro together with the Jakarta Tourism Board return as the primary sponsor for the ‘Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open'. This tournament is the result of a partnership between the Asian Tour and the Indonesian Golf Association that was introduced in 2003. The 2008 tournament offers a prize purse of US$1,200,000.00 and will feature world class players who will once again compete in this prestigious event. The Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open will be held from February 14 to 17 at the Cengkareng Golf Course, located next to the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport .

About Astro

Pay TV provider Astro began operations in Indonesia on February 28, 2006 with 48 channels that consists of the Citta, Arena, Sinema and Dinasti plans. The Citta plan provides basic entertainment that includes children's entertainment, science, news, entertainment, music, film and terrestrial television. Within this plan, there are 5 (five) self produced channels that include Astro Ceria (a special channel for children), Astro Aruna (a special channel for Indonesian ‘sinetron' soap operas for the female segment), Astro Kirana (a special channel for non-Hollywood films), Astro Xpresi (an Indonesian youth lifestyle and infotainment channel), and Astro Awani (a special news and lifestyle channel). Three of the five channels, namely Astro Ceria, Astro Kirana, and Astro Aruna, have been exported to Malaysia and Brunei since September 1, 2006. The five self produced channels are what differentiate Astro from other pay TV operators.