VI
EN
Gold medalists are awarded free air tickets for life while silver and bronze medalists will enjoy free flights for five years and three years respectively. Athletes will also be awarded special BIG memberships in gold, silver and bronze that allow them to fly to more than 120 destinations across AirAsia and AirAsia X’s extensive network in Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa.
Also attending the event were AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes, Group CEO AirAsia X Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, CEO AirAsia Behard Aireen Omar, CEO AirAsia X Berhad Benyamin Ismail and CEOs of AirAsia's country branches as well as government officials and sports officials from ASEAN member countries.
AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes said: “Once again, ASEAN athletes have brought pride to the Region by showing that they are serious and formidable competitors on the international stage. And I am honored to present these outstanding athletes with free air tickets in recognition of their tremendous contributions.
The disabled athletes also show us the limitless fighting spirit of human beings who can overcome all obstacles with will, determination and hard work. They have become an inspiration for the Region and the whole world.”
AirAsia Berhad CEO Aireen Omar said: "I am delighted with the outstanding achievements of Malaysian athletes. Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi won his first Paralympic gold medal, Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli broke the world record and took home silver, and Abdul Latif Romly won bronze and broke the world record for the third time. They have raised the bar for quality and standards for athletes and para-athletes in the next edition of the Games in Tokyo 2020."
AirAsia Thailand CEO Tassapon Bijleveld said, "The Thai Paralympic delegation had a great performance in Rio and brought home the most medals among all ASEAN countries. It was a very admirable achievement, especially with the track and field and boccia athletes leading the delegation's achievements. As the AirAsia branch closest to the Indochina countries, I would also like to congratulate athlete Le Van Cong for breaking the world record in weightlifting and bringing home the first Paralympic gold medal for Vietnam."
AirAsia Indonesia CEO Dendy Kurniawan said, "Ni Nengah Widiasih's medal shows the great progress of Indonesian sports in recent years. In London 2012, we brought home the first medal after 20 years and this time we continue to maintain the same achievement. I believe Indonesia will soon win a gold medal for itself in the near future."
AirAsia Philippines CEO Captain Dexter Comendador also emphasized, "I am extremely proud of paddler Josephine Medina for bringing home a medal for the Philippines after 16 years without a notable performance from the sports delegation at the Paralympics, just like Hidilyn Diaz's success last month. The Philippines has performed well in the past competitions and I believe this will be the beginning of many new successes to come to Philippine sports in the future."
