The trip of a lifetime is underway for Shivanand Swami, the 29 year old business student from rural India, who is en route to Sydney attempting to kick for $US1million at half time of the Bulldogs game against the Penrith Panthers on Saturday (5.30pm kick-off).
Swamis ability to handle pressure was well tested with his visa approval coming just five hours before he boarded the flight to Sydney last night and Bulldogs CEO Raelene Castle says hes ready for action in front of a big and supportive crowd at ANZ Stadium.
Just like any good fairytale Swamis had to overcome a few challenges just to make it to Australia and wed really love to see as many people as possible get out and cheer him on as he attempts to kick for $US1million, Castle said.
Before he has even kicked a football it has been a great promotion from our perspective with Rugby League and Swamis exploits now being covered through Indian media.
Weve also got the global Head of Marketing from our promotion partner easy-forex flying in from Cyprus to experience his first Bulldogs game.
On top of all that weve got a very compelling game of football to look forward to with both teams battling for crucial points in the race to the finals.
Swami will be a winner regardless of his success with the boot with a brand new Triumph motorcycle or $US20,000 to be offered as the consolation prize.
The kicking challenge is sponsored by Bulldogs major corporate partner easy-forex, an online currency trading company.
The chance to kick for the cash was open to anyone trading through them with the winner based on the quantity of successful trades between March and July.
The runner-up of the world wide trading competition, 57 year old Liu Bin from Shanghai, China, and the Australian winner, 21 year old Kenneth Gilkinson from Brisbane are also on their way to Sydney where theyll pocket tickets to the game and $US5000.
Swami arrives in Sydney late tonight and will be available to media on Friday and Saturday morning leading into the kick.
Swamis ability to handle pressure was well tested with his visa approval coming just five hours before he boarded the flight to Sydney last night and Bulldogs CEO Raelene Castle says hes ready for action in front of a big and supportive crowd at ANZ Stadium.
Just like any good fairytale Swamis had to overcome a few challenges just to make it to Australia and wed really love to see as many people as possible get out and cheer him on as he attempts to kick for $US1million, Castle said.
Before he has even kicked a football it has been a great promotion from our perspective with Rugby League and Swamis exploits now being covered through Indian media.
Weve also got the global Head of Marketing from our promotion partner easy-forex flying in from Cyprus to experience his first Bulldogs game.
On top of all that weve got a very compelling game of football to look forward to with both teams battling for crucial points in the race to the finals.
Swami will be a winner regardless of his success with the boot with a brand new Triumph motorcycle or $US20,000 to be offered as the consolation prize.
The kicking challenge is sponsored by Bulldogs major corporate partner easy-forex, an online currency trading company.
The chance to kick for the cash was open to anyone trading through them with the winner based on the quantity of successful trades between March and July.
The runner-up of the world wide trading competition, 57 year old Liu Bin from Shanghai, China, and the Australian winner, 21 year old Kenneth Gilkinson from Brisbane are also on their way to Sydney where theyll pocket tickets to the game and $US5000.
Swami arrives in Sydney late tonight and will be available to media on Friday and Saturday morning leading into the kick.
