Alfie Watts in Kuala Lumpur. Photo Credit Alfie Watts

Tourism Malaysia London Supports “Race Across The World” Winner, Alfie Watts’ Charity Project in Kuala Lumpur

30 July 2024

London, 30th July 2024 - Tourism Malaysia London is thrilled to support Alfie Watts, the recent winner of BBC’s ‘Race Across the World’ 2024 (UK), in his inspiring new charity initiative, "Football Starts With Hope," taking place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, this summer.

Alfie Watts, the founder of RefPro - a community-focused football organisation - is set to launch this project to help disadvantaged children access and enjoy football. The initiative will provide substantial kits, equipment, and coaching sessions to young people. RefPro has partnered with The Lost Food Project Charity (TLFP), Charity Boots, and KitAid to deliver this impactful project.

The primary beneficiaries of the kit distribution will be the Orang Asli communities in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur. The project will start with TLFP fundraising to raise awareness for food rescue efforts, followed by the football initiative. Alfie and his team plan to engage with local communities, using football as a medium to connect and give back.

Special guest Daniel Pinto, known as DNZH.travels on social media, will join the project. With over 463k followers on TikTok and 77k on Instagram, Daniel brings further visibility to the initiative – in addition to Alfie’s 24k following on Instagram. The project kicks off in August.

The idea for "Football Starts With Hope" was born when Alfie visited The Lost Food Project in Kuala Lumpur. Volunteers at The Lost Food Project rescue surplus food from Kuala Lumpur's Central Market and distribute it to residents in need across the city.

Inspired by the work of The Lost Food Project, combined with the city's vibrant culture and the love for football among Malaysians, Alfie wanted to find a way to give back to the local communities using his football connections.

Alfie Watts shared his enthusiasm for the project:

"I was incredibly moved by my time in Kuala Lumpur and wanted to find a way to give back. The passion for football in Malaysia is immense, and it felt like a natural fit to use the sport to make a positive impact. I loved everything about Kuala Lumpur - from its bustling streets to its welcoming people. This project is a way for me to combine my love for football with supporting a community which I found so welcoming, and I hope it brings joy and opportunities to the children involved."

Speaking about his travel experience in Malaysia overall, which included Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Georgetown Penang, Ipoh, and Melaka, Alfie said:

"My time in Malaysia was nothing short of extraordinary. From the iconic sights of Kuala Lumpur to the serene beauty of Langkawi, every moment was an adventure. Georgetown in Penang impressed me with its unique blend of history and modernity, while Ipoh's culinary delights and heritage sites were unforgettable. Melaka, with its rich history, culture and incredible architecture, was captivating. The warmth and hospitality of the Malaysian people left a lasting impression on me. I felt inspired by the country's vibrant spirit and natural beauty, which fuelled my passion to give back to the community through this project. I hope to create lasting positive impacts and meaningful connections through 'Football Starts With Hope'."

The accommodation partner supporting the trip is Sunway Resort Hotel, an iconic establishment located in the heart of Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, Asia's leading fully-integrated premier hospitality and entertainment destination that seamlessly integrates a multitude of business and leisure facilities including a theme park, a mega shopping and entertainment mall, medical centre and more.

Tourism Malaysia London is proud to support this meaningful initiative, reinforcing its commitment to fostering community development and promoting Malaysia as a destination rich in culture and opportunities.

For more information on Tourism Malaysia and travelling to Malaysia, please visit: www.malaysia.travel

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About Tourism Malaysia:

Tourism Malaysia, officially known as the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, operates as an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia. Tasked with the comprehensive promotion of Malaysia as a prime tourism destination, Tourism Malaysia has established itself as a prominent entity within the global tourism landscape. Its efforts have borne fruit, with Malaysia attracting a significant influx of tourists, registering an impressive 26.1 million arrivals in 2019 alone. This places Malaysia firmly among the ranks of the world's leading tourism destinations. For more media information visit: https://www.tourism.gov.my

About Sunway Resort Hotel

Sunway Resort Hotel is a luxury 5-star hotel, strategically located in the bustling heart of Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s premier entertainment and hospitality destination, just 35 minutes from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and 25 minutes to the city centre. The vibrant 800-acre self-contained iconic landmark seamlessly integrates a cluster of three (3) hotels, conference and convention centres, a theme park, a mega shopping and entertainment mall, medical centre, educational facilities and a multitude of distinctive business and leisure facilities for an all-inclusive experience and convenience. A Kuala Lumpur icon for over 20 years, Sunway Resort Hotel’s ‘once-in-a-generation transformation’ unveils 477 smart, environmentally-friendly and intuitively designed rooms, suites and villas fitted with state-of-the-art technology. Discover exclusive lounges and family zones, and have an extraordinary dining experience at Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill and Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes. For more information, visit www.sunwayhotels.com/sunway-resort, follow on Facebook and Instagram @SunwayResortKualaLumpur or subscribe to the mailing list to receive first-hand updates.