Post by Macmoish on Dec 20, 2013 8:11:55 GMT
The Star (Malaysia)
Friday December 20, 2013
Co-owner of Championship leaders QPR and KL Dragons passionate about all things sport
by christina low
Mad about The Hoops: Besides managing Westports Holdings Bhd, Ruben is also a co-owner of English Championship League football club Queens Park Rangers.
ALTHOUGH many may think Ruben Emir Gnanalingam is a busy man who probably does not much time to spare on his off-days (if he happens to have any), the 39-year-old begs to differ.
Growing up in Kuala Lumpur, the CEO of Westports Holdings Berhad is not an “all work and no play” guy.
In a recent interview, he shared with StarMetro his love for sports from his school days and where it has taken him today in the business world.
Having had his early education at Victoria Institution in Kuala Lumpur, Ruben said he was active in field events such as discuss throw, softball and shot put to which he also represented the school for it.
The eldest of three went on to further his education in England where he represented his college in badminton.
“I have always been a fan of football and continued to play some form of it till a few years ago when I injured my ankle,
“Nowadays, I stick to golf which I picked up after university,” said the Eton College and the London School of Economics graduate.
Growing up, Ruben said his parents had always encouraged him and his siblings to give a shot at different kinds of sports before finally picking what they fancy.
KL Dragons co-owner Ruben Gnanalingam trying his hand on basketball, a sport he has grown to love over the years.
Proving a point: Ruben trying his hand at basketball, a sport he has grown to love over the years.
“I have always been open to numerous sports and my parents always wanted us to try everything.
“The sport I chose at various points in my life so far have been driven by what I felt I could succeed in at that point,” he said, adding that he also made sure that he would enjoy playing whatever he was competing in.
In 2010, Ruben took over locally-based basketball team, KL Dragons, with longtime friends Datuk Wira Dani Daim and Datuk Robin Tan, which led him to find new love for the sport.
“When you get involved in clubs like these, every aspect of the club will run through your veins. Every goal and every point scored is celebrated more. Every goal and every point let in hurts a lot more, too,” said Ruben, who also co-owns English football club Queens Park Rangers with his partners, aviation tycoon Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Datuk Kamarudin Meranun and the Mittal family from India.
Besides managing one of Asia’s top logistics company, Ruben also juggles his time carefully with the two sports franchises from time to time.
“It used to take up more time when we first got involved but this has reduced over time as we have good people running both teams so we do not have to be there as often,” he said.
When asked if sports has changed his way at managing the company his father Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam built, the sports fanatic had only positive words to offer.
“In some ways, these sports are also businesses to us. There are revenue and costs involved similar in managing any other business,
“The most important being that people are your greatest asset and that teamwork is crucial. All of us were competitive business people before getting involved. It was probably why we got involved in the first place — the joys of competing,” he said adding that getting the right mix of people was never easy.
What was more difficult for him was getting his men fight for the same goal.
“My participation in sports at a young age has instilled in me life-long values that I continuously practice till today.
“I have learned to persevere and to never give up, even when I face challenges that may seem difficult to overcome. These values have brought me far especially in my corporate journey,” he said.
With the ongoing 27th Sea Games in Myanmmar coming to an end, Ruben wants the Malaysian team to work and push themselves to achieve their dreams.
“Just like any other competition, every athlete should just go out there and give it their best shot. You may not get another chance and there is no prizes for holding back.
I am hoping Malaysia comes back with a lot of medals and personally will be rooting for the basketball team as some of our KL Dragons players will be involved,” he said.
www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2013/12/20/Sporty-by-nature-Coowner-of-Championship-leaders-QPR-and-KL-Dragons-passionate-about-all-things-spor.aspx
Friday December 20, 2013
Co-owner of Championship leaders QPR and KL Dragons passionate about all things sport
by christina low
Mad about The Hoops: Besides managing Westports Holdings Bhd, Ruben is also a co-owner of English Championship League football club Queens Park Rangers.
ALTHOUGH many may think Ruben Emir Gnanalingam is a busy man who probably does not much time to spare on his off-days (if he happens to have any), the 39-year-old begs to differ.
Growing up in Kuala Lumpur, the CEO of Westports Holdings Berhad is not an “all work and no play” guy.
In a recent interview, he shared with StarMetro his love for sports from his school days and where it has taken him today in the business world.
Having had his early education at Victoria Institution in Kuala Lumpur, Ruben said he was active in field events such as discuss throw, softball and shot put to which he also represented the school for it.
The eldest of three went on to further his education in England where he represented his college in badminton.
“I have always been a fan of football and continued to play some form of it till a few years ago when I injured my ankle,
“Nowadays, I stick to golf which I picked up after university,” said the Eton College and the London School of Economics graduate.
Growing up, Ruben said his parents had always encouraged him and his siblings to give a shot at different kinds of sports before finally picking what they fancy.
KL Dragons co-owner Ruben Gnanalingam trying his hand on basketball, a sport he has grown to love over the years.
Proving a point: Ruben trying his hand at basketball, a sport he has grown to love over the years.
“I have always been open to numerous sports and my parents always wanted us to try everything.
“The sport I chose at various points in my life so far have been driven by what I felt I could succeed in at that point,” he said, adding that he also made sure that he would enjoy playing whatever he was competing in.
In 2010, Ruben took over locally-based basketball team, KL Dragons, with longtime friends Datuk Wira Dani Daim and Datuk Robin Tan, which led him to find new love for the sport.
“When you get involved in clubs like these, every aspect of the club will run through your veins. Every goal and every point scored is celebrated more. Every goal and every point let in hurts a lot more, too,” said Ruben, who also co-owns English football club Queens Park Rangers with his partners, aviation tycoon Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Datuk Kamarudin Meranun and the Mittal family from India.
Besides managing one of Asia’s top logistics company, Ruben also juggles his time carefully with the two sports franchises from time to time.
“It used to take up more time when we first got involved but this has reduced over time as we have good people running both teams so we do not have to be there as often,” he said.
When asked if sports has changed his way at managing the company his father Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam built, the sports fanatic had only positive words to offer.
“In some ways, these sports are also businesses to us. There are revenue and costs involved similar in managing any other business,
“The most important being that people are your greatest asset and that teamwork is crucial. All of us were competitive business people before getting involved. It was probably why we got involved in the first place — the joys of competing,” he said adding that getting the right mix of people was never easy.
What was more difficult for him was getting his men fight for the same goal.
“My participation in sports at a young age has instilled in me life-long values that I continuously practice till today.
“I have learned to persevere and to never give up, even when I face challenges that may seem difficult to overcome. These values have brought me far especially in my corporate journey,” he said.
With the ongoing 27th Sea Games in Myanmmar coming to an end, Ruben wants the Malaysian team to work and push themselves to achieve their dreams.
“Just like any other competition, every athlete should just go out there and give it their best shot. You may not get another chance and there is no prizes for holding back.
I am hoping Malaysia comes back with a lot of medals and personally will be rooting for the basketball team as some of our KL Dragons players will be involved,” he said.
www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2013/12/20/Sporty-by-nature-Coowner-of-Championship-leaders-QPR-and-KL-Dragons-passionate-about-all-things-spor.aspx