Info-comms Gladiators Battle for Charity!

Argonauts and Spartans Draw Swords to Raise Funds for the Needy

Singapore, 30 August 2003 – Yes, Gladiathon is finally here! Today, 50 senior executives from ten leading info-communication companies will suit up in their gladiator gear, and battle for charity at the President’s Challenge 2003 - Gladiathon. The participating companies are Accenture, Ericsson Telecommunications Pte Ltd, HP Singapore, IBM Singapore, MobileOne Ltd, PeopleSoft Asia Pte Ltd, SAP Asia Pte Ltd, Siemens Singapore, StarHub Pte Ltd and Sun Microsystems Pte Ltd.

Months of physical training, rehearsals, mental preparation and relentless pursuit for gladiatorial excellence have paid off. Instead of being typecast as familiar corporate figures in the office, the executives will put on gladiatorial costumes and show the 7,000 strong crowd their hidden talents as they deliver world-class, teeth gnashing action in true gladiator style at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The companies have been divided into two teams:

The teams already had a taste of their opponent’s prowess during the two rehearsals for fencing and archery. Not only did the teams show their capability in hitting bulls-eyes but they also displayed their deftness and quick reflexes in dodging and striking their opponents. Definitely a promise of a spectacular battle to come!

Today, the teams will be put through four grueling challenges:

• The Chariot Race - Teams are tasked to assemble the chariot and race round the arena.
• Conquer & Control – Teams combat via jousting, swordplay, the wheel of life and a tug of war
• Clash of the Orbs – Each team member has to roll their orb ball onto scoring pods, while opposing Gladiators try to deter them.
• Caesar’s Challenge – the finale, all teams will be involved in a four-station obstacle course (scale the wall/obstacle challenge/balance beam/tunnel race with a final race to victory) with primary objective to gain a competitive edge and be in control of the Games.

The aim for Gladiathon is to raise over S$1 million for the following 12 beneficiaries: Asian Women’s Welfare Association, Autism Association (Singapore), Balestier Special School, Community Chest, Hospice Care Association, Movement for the Intellectual Disabled of Singapore (MINDS), Muhammadiyah Welfare Home, Riding for the Disabled Association of Singapore, Spastic Children’s Association School, St. Andrew’s Community Hospital, Tampines Family Service Centre and Villa Francis Home for the Aged.

Said Mr Willie Cheng, Country Managing Director, Accenture, "Finally, its here. It could probably only happen in the infocomm industry - competitors coming together to bash it out and have a whale of a time in the process - all for a good cause in these uncertain economic times. I hope other corporates will also band together to do the same for the society at large."

The companies adopted various innovative ways to raise funds via their staff, family, friends and business associates. These included golf putting challenges, golf and bowling tournaments, food and fun fairs (including car washes, spas and makeovers), movies, billiards/karaoke sessions, SMS donations and pledge forms. Other activities also included intranet online auction and flea markets for goods donated by staff and donations via company charity funds. The amount of funds raised per team will count towards their purchase of weapons and scores at the games.

The total amount raised will be announced via a cheque presentation to the Guest of Honour, Mr S R Nathan, the President of the Republic of Singapore at the end of the event.

From 4pm to 6pm today, the companies’ staff, family and friends will get to enjoy a fun-filled outdoor carnival at the Stadium Cove with over 40 stalls offering several activities including henna tattooing, nail and face painting and inflatable castles for children. This will culminate in an evening of white-knuckled action at the Singapore Indoor Stadium from 7pm to 9.15pm.

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