Tag - Sports

KOTA KINABALU: The record-breaking Borneo Safari International Off Road Challenge is a positive indication on Sabahs tourism. The 25th edition of the event welcomed 320 four-wheel drive vehicles with 1,198 participants from Sabah and other countries, including Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Australia, Ireland and France. Looking at the response, I think this is not only an extreme product, but also possibly a product that could generate higher tourism revenue, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun at the launch of the event. Participants will travel on two separate routes, where only 100 vehicles have been selected to travel through the forest reserves in Dalit and Pensiangan to avoid overcrowding there. The rest of the vehicles will travel along the forest reserves. The Borneo Safari, Asias premier off-road event took off early yesterday, with the all-conquering Isuzu D-Max leading the convoy of over 250 vehicles into Sabahs jungles where they will spend the next eight days. This years event, the 25th in its history, will take on various obstacles primarily in the highland interior near Tenom and Keningau. This year also marks the ninth consecutive year that members of the media will be able to depend on the trusty Isuzu D-Max to get them close to the thick of action effectively and comfortably. For close to a decade, the media corps has been able to keep pace with the progress of the event from the cockpits of the official media Isuzu D-Max. These vehicles have long risen beyond trying to prove their abilities in the rough and instead, have established themselves as a fixture of the Borneo Safari where they are depended upon to carry out their duties effectively and efficiently, said executive director of Isuzu Malaysia Hajime Machimura. Boasting two Borneo Safari Vehicle of the Year titles under its belt having performed outstandingly as a standard vehicle, the Isuzu D-Max derives its strength and capability from the DNA inherited from its truck brethren. It features a tried and tested iGRIP design platform that affords the Isuzu D-Max with outstanding stability, handling tilt angles of up to 49 degrees comfortably while its engines amazing torque delivery at low rpm ensures superb traction and hill-climbing ability, key features of a good 4×4 vehicle. This years Borneo Safari will once again feature three units of the Isuzu D-Max leading the media convoy, one 3-litre and two 2.5-litre models. Source: Borneo Post

Kota Kinabalu: The Unity Run/Ride event which ended on July 19, was deemed a success by organisers despite the short promotion time period. Event Coordinator, Steve J. Mositun said that the event succeeded in achieving its goal in promoting unity among the participants, organisers and nearby community via running and cycling. "Running and cycling are basically important activities in promoting healthy lifestyle and the race on Sunday proves that unity can be bonded through these activities as we meet our friends or even get to know new people during the event," he said when contacted yesterday. The event held at Likas Sports Complex was organised by Community Advent and Casero Events, saw more than 800 active-lifestyle enthusiasts participated in the early morning race. The main race which was the Unity 10KM Run saw all 300 participants finished the race with local hero Fabian Osmond living up to expectation by winning the men's category while winning RM500 and medal in the process. Vincenbert Latius and Ruston Masri completed the top three standing for men's category, winning RM400 and RM300 with medals respectively. In the women's category, Kona Liaw raced home in first place to take RM500 in cash prize with medals while Jenny Kissin and Erristiana Joel crossed the line behind her in second and third place where both won RM400 and RM300 respectively. While the remaining runners that completed the top ten standings of each categories won cash prizes plus medals each. Steve added that the participants for the Unity 5KM Run and Unity 25KM Ride also enjoyed their respective races although they did not win anything at the end of the races. On behalf of the organising committee, he would like to thank the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) for assisting with the traffic flow, Permanis Sdn Bhd for sponsoring Revive Isotonic Drinks to all the participants, Tamparuli Sticker, Community Advent volunteers who came and help out with the event, City Hall (DBKK), Sabah Amateur Radio, KKFM, Likas Sports Complex staffs and St. John Ambulance. Event Chairman, Datuk Louis Rampas and Community Advent officials thanked Steve together with his crew for giving them a helping hand in organising their first Run and Ride event in Sabah. Meanwhile, Sabah Tourism Board Chairman, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and State Deputy Speaker, Datuk Johnny Mositun attended the flag-off ceremony, accompanied by Louis where they were impressed by the turnout of participants for the event. Steve said that both Joniston and Johnny praise the organiser for coming up with such event for the first time for the general public to participate. "They hope that Community Advent will continue in organising such event and make it as an annual event for the years to come. "We saw many smiling faces during the event and nothing is more important than to be united in keeping peace and harmony amongst all Sabahan and Malaysian," he said. Source: Daily Express