The US-based Rare Antibody Antigen Supply, Inc. (RAAS) has announced it will no longer sponsor the Miss World 2010 pageant, putting leaders of the south-central province of Khanh Hoa in a difficult situation.
The move by RAAS is the latest in a string of controversial decisions made by the group, which has left the pageant’s future in question.
In July 2008, RAAS CEO Hoang Kieu signed an agreement with Chairwoman of the Miss World Organization Julia Morley to hold the contest in Khanh Hoa Province.
Accordingly, the group was to finance US$10 million to build new infrastructure for the pageant at Nha Trang Bay.
A project titled “1,000 stars” was to be built on 1,500 hectares comprising 2,000 high-class bungalows, accommodation for 200 pageant contestants, golf courses, shopping centers, and resorts.
At the end of October 2009, the group upset the province by requesting a change of location for the event.
RAAS proposed that Miss World 2010 be held instead on Thoi Son Island in the Mekong Delta Province of Tien Giang.
Then on January 28, 2010, RAAS submitted official documents to the Government, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and other relevant agencies to withdraw entirely from sponsoring the pageant.
Le Xuan Than, deputy chairman of the Khanh Hoa People’s Committee, said the province has always been ready to host the pageant and the decision to change the location to Tien Giang Province was made unilaterally by RAAS.
The group’s withdrawal means Khanh Hoa must now prove to the Miss World Organization that it can still afford to host the event.
The amount required is too large to be covered by the State budget and the province itself has not yet been able to find new sponsors.
This week, Khanh Hoa Province leaders will meet to discuss possible solutions and will then make an official announcement to the public.
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