[2008-02-20]

Grenoble Foot 38 celebrates the long awaited opening of its new professional soccer stadium, `Stade des Alpes`

Index Group companies to provide IT services for the new stadium, constructed through regional government initiatives, including security systems and advanced contactless IC card solutions


Tokyo, Japan, February 20, 2008 - Index Holdings’ (President: Masami Ochiai, Head Office: Tokyo) professional French soccer team (2nd league), Grenoble Foot 38 (Grenoble, France), has kicked off a new era of play with the premier of a modern new stadium, “Stade des Alpes.” On February 15, 2008, the team celebrated the facility’s completion with an impressive 2 - 0 victory over Clermont in the stadium’s opening match.

About the New Stadium
On February 15, 2008 “Stade des Alpes,” the exclusive home pitch of Grenoble Foot 38, hosted its first game and launched a new era for Index Holdings. The company will now provide a wide variety of IT solutions, in cooperation with local government, that reinforce security, enhance fan correspondence, offer contactless IC member cards and more. “Stade de Alpes” is a state-of-the-art soccer facility that accommodates 20,000 fans, and was developed following lengthy reflection on the needs of team supporters.

■The Latest Security System
Grenoble Foot 38 has taken great measures to ensure that entire families can safely enjoy games at the new stadium. The team has installed an additional 26 security cameras, which enable officials to monitor the whole facility, as Grenoble seeks to provide a secure environment where women and children are hoped to constitute 40% of spectators by 2010. Furthermore, contactless IC card technologies will aid in refusing entry to undesirable persons, and security officials located outside of the stadium will be armed with PDAs that provide vital information about potentially problematic individuals.

■Contactless IC member card enables entry, payment etc. (planned spring 2008)
Member cards equipped with contactless IC technology will be issued to Grenoble fans, who may use them to purchase tickets and enter the stadium simply by swiping the card past corresponding ticket gates. Beginning March 14, all game tickets may be purchased using member cards, which reduces congestion at the gates, and enables convenient collection of spectator information. Member card holders also have access to a wide range of additional services through electronic money accounts which can be used to pay for city bus and tram fare, as well as purchase food and merchandise within the stadium.

■Fan Communication and Local IT Network
Mobile phone SMS (Short Message Service) enables Grenoble supporters to make predictions and cast votes for the game’s MVP, top goal scorers and more. Results from audience participation surveys are displayed on the stadium’s public video display.

About Grenoble Foot 38
In October 2004, Index Holdings embarked on its initial capital investment in the professional French soccer team Grenoble Foot 38, formerly owned by the city of Grenoble. Since then, the organization has been joined by Japanese athletes and attention towards the club in Japan has steadily grown. Grenoble Foot 38 currently ranks 5th among 20 teams. At the end of this season, the top 3 teams in the division become promoted to the 1st league of France’s professional soccer association. Please refer to future press releases for the latest news on club developments.