20Jan

Kiulu, Tamparuli to be known as extreme sports tourism hub

TAMPARULI: Kiulu and Tamparuli will be known as an extreme sports tourism hub, said Sabah Tourism Board (STB) Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. The Kiulu Assemblyman said organising the Ruhiang Kiulu Adventure Challenge 2017 (RUKIAC2017) is also part of that effort. "Through RUKIAC2017 event, we can see an effort to make this area a location for adventure sports and extreme sports as a tourism product has led to fruition. "The presence of local and foreign participants can also benefit the people especially traders around this area," he said after flagging off the RUKIAC2017 run on Sunday. Joniston said STB always helped the organisers to promote extreme sports events through their networks at home and abroad in an effort to have the participation of foreign participants. Meanwhile, Casero Events Director Steve Johnny Mositun welcomed more support from the private sector to improve the organisation quality and quantity of participation of events. "To make this event at an international level, we welcome the support of private companies and the government not only in terms of the provisions but also labour to assist the smooth running of the event. "This year, we received support from various groups, including Tamparuli Sub-District Office, Department of Health, STB, Polis Di Raja Malaysia (PDRM), Ararat Sports & Souvenirs Sdn. Bhd. International Technology and Commercial Centre, Penampang, St John's Ambulance and many more," he explained. The sixth edition of the event received nearly 700 entries, including from Australia, the Philippines, Singapore, France, Kenya and Indonesia. Two events were contested, route 10 km and 23 km starting from the Tamparuli tamu, Bukit Ruhiang, Kamung Ruhiang, Ulu Bawang, Kg bawang, Kg Kewoi, Kg Lingga and Kg Togop. Both events were divided into three categories namely Men's Open (10km) won by Elvin Lazarus, Women's Open- Marjilah Rebid, Men's Veteran- Yusop Tungkob, Women Veteran- Chong Vun Lung. For the 23km event, the Men's Open was won by Wincentbert Latius; Women's Open, Hyenie Roslin Danius; Men's Veteran, Ruston Masri and Women Veteran, Kona Liau. Source: Daily Express
By Inside KePKAS, , Comments Off
Read more...
30Sep

Sabah promotes mixed martial art Jesselton Fight League as an attraction

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is coming up with another tourist attraction – the Jesselton Fight League (JFL). The state is promoting this mixed martial art tournament to draw tourists to the Land Below the Wind. Tourism and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) Sabah Office director Ag Ahmad Zaki Abu Bakar said foreigners can not only participate in and watch the tournament but also go on a holiday while they are here. “It will indirectly help to boost Sabah’s tourism industry,” he said. The tournament, which was held at the 1Borneo Shopping Mall, was organised by Sabah MOTAC with the Karabaw Martial Arts and Fitness Centre. A total of 24 exponents from nine countries — Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam - participated in this year's JFL edition. Meanwhile, Karabaw Martial Arts and Fitness Centre Founder, Rayner Kinsiong, said JFL was established three years ago and was the only tournament in Malaysia which provided the opportunity for participants to collect points to participate in the World Series of Fighting Global Championship. “However, this is the first time we are organising JFL with Sabah MOTAC and through this tournament, there could be more opportunities for young local talents in the MMA field,” said Rayner. He said he had also discussed with Sabah MOTAC to hold the tournament on a large scale next year.— Bernama Source: The Star
By Inside KePKASComments Off
Read more...
23Sep

Tennis tourney sees increase in teams and prize money

Kota Kinabalu: The 9th series of the Sabah Invitational team tennis tournament known as 1 Malaysia Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor Challenge trophy's prize money has been increased to RM15,000 from the previous RM10,000. With the increase of prize money team participation has also increased to 16 teams this year. The tournament is being held from September 16-18. A managers meeting was held Thursday night where all the team managers attended. The 5 doubles events to be competed are men's 25, 35, 45 and 55 and above while the women's doubles is 35 years and above. This format has been retained since the 1st tournament in 2008. As a practice Sabah Tennis Association (STA) will ensure all the teams have an enjoyable stay in Sabah. Sports tourism is also part of the objectives of this tournament. Both the Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan and Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun have all these years been very supportive of this tournament and will do so every year. Masidi will host a welcoming dinner on September 17. As in previous years this tournament has attracted players from 7 foreign countries namely Australia, Japan, Korea, Thailand, India, Singapore, Indonesia, Peninsula states and local district players. STA President Johnson Koh and the organising chairman Daniel Tan ensured that all the teams are briefed on the logistic obstacles of the 4 venues this year due to the Likas tennis courts undergoing roofing works and the Sutera Harbour covered courts in use for a concert. The 4 venues are Sabah Golf & Country Club, Kinabalu Golf Club, Sutera non covered courts and Likas tennis courts not involved in the roofing works. During the managers meeting all likely obstacles were briefed and all team managers were receptive of the existing situation and will cooperate their best to ensure a smooth and successful tournament. The first round knockout play will place the teams into the top half and the bottom half on a best of pro set games 8. The winning teams will be grouped into 2 groups and the loser teams into another 2 groups. They will again play a pros set to determine the 2 semi-finalists of each placing. The bottom half will then play the pro set to determine the 9-16 placings. The top half will play on a 2 plus 1 super tie break 3-set win to determine the champion and 8 placings. Play on the first day went as scheduled except for a scare the late in morning when the weather threatened to rain. A welcoming dinner for the teams will be held on the September 17 hosted by Masidi. Source: Daily Express
By Inside KePKAS, Comments Off
Read more...
20May

FCAS Int’l Dragon Boat Race this weekend

Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman has commended the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) for making the Sabah FCAS International Dragon Boat Race an increasingly successful event.Musa has also accepted the invitation to attend the 3rd edition's opening ceremony and prize presentation on May 22, which will be officiated by the Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin. He hoped that the dragon boat race would become an annual event for Sabah, as well as a tourist attraction for the State. Musa said this during a courtesy call by the FCAS Executive Committee led by the President Datuk Seri T.C. Goh at his official residence at Sri Gaya here, Wednesday. Goh expressed his gratitude to the State Government for a grant of RM150,000 in support of the event through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment. According to him, the Minister of Special Tasks, Datuk Teo Chee Kang has also facilitated a sponsorship of RM10,000 for the Dragon Boat Race. Also present were FCAS Vice-President cum Organising Chairperson Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen, Vice-President Datuk Chua Soon Ping, Vice-President Lee Hing Boo, Vice-President Dennis Gan, Vice-President Datuk Agnes Shim, Secretary-General Datuk Yong Soo Pin, Treasurer-General Fung Chun Fatt and others. Meanwhile, Goh said a total of 112 teams would be competing in the dragon boat race this year. He expects the event to draw more than 10,000 spectators as in previous years. The public are urged to witness the exciting line-up of dragon boat races at Likas Bay starting 7am this weekend on May 21 and 22.
Source: Daily Express
By Inside KePKAS, , Comments Off
Read more...
06Apr

Tourists return to Malaysia’s Mount Kinabalu after Sabah quake

KUALA LUMPUR: Climbers are returning in droves to Malaysia’s easternmost state of Sabah, ten months after an earthquake that killed 18, Sabah Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Masidi Manjun said on Friday (Apr 1). Around 3,600 tourists, mostly foreigners, climbed the 4,000-m tall Mt Kinabalu in March, up from 1,200 tourists in January, Mr Masidi told Channel NewsAsia on the sidelines of a welcome dinner for Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who is in Sabah for a working visit. The park was closed for six months after the earthquake for repairs, but opened to the public in December. Two new trails will soon be opened, set to offer a better view for climbers. "Your experience will be better than before, and it will also be safer, if I may say so,” said Mr Masidi. Authorities have limited the number of climbers per day to 120, down from the previous limit of 190. Mountain guides are also now required to pass an important test in rescue and crisis response before their licenses are renewed, with experts in mountain rescue from Canada and Japan offering free training to the guides. "Now, we are making it compulsory for everyone to pass - so that when you become a guide, you need to be certified for the rescue unit at the same time,” said Mr Masidi.   Tour operators also have a responsibility to make sure climbers fully understand the guidelines of the trip before commencing their ascent. A group of western tourists were said to have taken off their clothes and urinated at the peak of Mt Kinabalu, a week before the 6.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Sabah on Jun 5 last year. Locals believe their actions angered the guardian of Mt Kinabalu, which is considered sacred. Since the park reopened, tourists are required to sign an understanding before their climb, subjected to native court jurisdictions. The new rules could see climbers being put behind bars immediately for failing to observe guidelines. "If you don’t sign, you don’t climb,” said Mr Masidi. “If for any reason they end up doing what they are not supposed to do, then they have to face the full brunt of the law.” The quake was the strongest to hit the country since 1976. The victims included seven students, two teachers and one trainer from Singapore’s Tanjong Katong Primary School. It also damaged trails, hostels and other infrastructure.- CNA/yt

Source: Channel NewsAsia

By Inside KePKAS, , Comments Off
Read more...