16 days of fireworks for Malaysia Day
Kota Kinabalu: Spectacular displays of colourful and musically-synchronised fireworks by eight nations will fill the sky over Kota Kinabalu as the State marks the founding date of Malaysia this September.
Professional teams from nations including France, United Kingdom, Australia and China, among others, will be doing so over two weeks with every second of their showdown viewable along seven kilometres of the Sabah coast.
They are competing to be the best in the inaugural Sabah International Fireworks Competition (SIFC) 2014 to be held over 16 days at the Likas Bay Public Park beginning Sept 1, with two display nights and four competition nights.
The event will conclude with a big bang on Malaysia Day, bringing the momentous occasion to a colourful close. The musically-synchronised displays of light, colour and sound will be followed by live performances from a host of international and local artistes.
Along with the fireworks and music, people can also look forward to the SIFC Bazaar, which will offer a variety of authentic Sabahan and Malaysian handicraft as well as local and international delicacies.
Sabah Tourism Board (STB) Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who represented State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun at the launch of the SIFC 2014, Monday, said the privately-funded SIFC 2014 will further catapult the events industry in the State.
He said the involvement of eight countries as competitors can further promote Sabah and its natural attractions, adding the State is an ideal destination for events as it is regionally very accessible.
Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) is the busiest airport after Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) with 17 direct international flights, he said, adding as of April this year the overall arrivals achieved double digit growth to 1.101 million visitors, by 13.6 per cent compared to the same period last year.
International visitors totalled up to 378,002, and domestic, 723,341.
“The positive growth is mainly contributed by the domestic and North Asian arrivals which consist of 85.4 per cent of the total arrivals into Sabah,” he said.
He said it is also good to note that for the first three months of this year 145 chartered flights had flown in bringing 21,422 visitors compared to only 88 chartered flights the same time last year.
“These chartered flights come from China, South Korea and Japan,” he said.
Commending the organiser iMaginators and partners Bernas Impresif Sdn Bhd and 4Thirteen Media, Bangkuai was also confident the event would be well received by all Malaysians and those from neighbouring countries.
iMaginators Group Director Jeevan Kuppusamy, who is SIFC2014 Appointed Director, meanwhile, said the event will showcase Sabah as a destination and a platform for international competitions and events.
“Sabah is a combination of pristine and lush rainforests teeming with exotic wildlife, a tropical paradise of soft and crystal-clear waters together with world-class resorts and facilities which offer a rich and exotic experience for business and pleasure. It not only has world class resorts but also amazing facilities for world class events,” he said.
On the SIFC2014, he said the competition will not only paint the Sabah sky with brilliant bursts of vivid colours, but will also be the venue to showcase the emerging artistry and evolving sophistication of the world’s fireworks technology.
Kota Kinabalu will be playing host to an estimated 200,000 spectators along Tanjung Lipat during each competition evening.
He said each competition day will see two countries contending in a pyromelodic battle of 25 minutes each, adding the winner will be awarded a commemorative trophy and cash prize. All participating countries will each receive a participation certificate and a token of appreciation.
Maginators will also host the two-week long bazaar, along with the display zone, featuring local and international vendors.
City Hall Deputy Director-General (Operations) Joannes Solidau, who represented Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir, and iMaginators Executive Director Leben Siddarth, among others, were also present.
Source: Daily Express
