King of the Sarawak River ... PUSAKA DUA team receiving their coveted trophy from the chairman of the organising committee, Rodziah Haji Morshidi who is also the Resident of Kuching Division at the podium near the mainstage of the Kuching Waterfront. By Jeremy Veno KUCHING: Pusaka Dua emerged the King of the Sarawak River when their team who led the pack for the majority of the races finished the race in style yesterday in the finals of the 30 paddlers men's (King of the River) category. The most anticipated Sarawak Regatta was flagged off by the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, His Highness Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah together with Tuan Yang Terutama Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Muhammad Salahuddin and accompanied by his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Hajah Norkiah and the Chief Minister of Sarawak, Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife, Datuk Amar Puan Sri Dr Hajjah Laila Taib on the "Datu" boat at the starting point near the Petanak area.Under their manager Hashim Haji Bojet, the team with much persistance and willpower managed to overcome the 'never-say-die' Landas 3 and Landas 9 teams who closed in second and third placings respectively.The third day of the Regatta saw most of the finals which can be considered as D-Day for champions in each category who will etch their names in the history book of the long Sarawak Regatta tradition for generations to come.Although the second day of the event faced a hiccup due to a heavy downpour on Saturday afternoon, the spirits of the paddlers, spaectators and all those involved in the success of the event was not dampened by the rain.The Sarawak Regatta this year saw a total of 321 teams with a total of 6,259 participants giving their dire best to vie for the promising cash prizes.This year also saw the prize list until the fifth placing for the 15 categories, including the seven paddlers (men), 10 paddlers (women), 15 paddlers mix (8 men + 7 women), 15 paddlers (men), 20 paddlers (men), 30 paddlers men (trophy TYT Yang Di-pertua Negeri), 20 paddlers Inter-Division (men), 30 paddlers VIP (men), 30 paddlers hotels and tour agencies (25 men + 5 women), 20 paddlers International (Open), 15 paddlers tourist, Perahu Tambang, Kayak, Jet Ski Open Below 800cc and Jet Ski Open Class Unlimited.New categories also made their debut this year, including the 20 paddlers Inter-State, 20 paddlers Inter-Varsity, 20 paddlers government and corporate agencies (men) and 30 paddlers VIP special.Traditional games were also held alongside the river bank where events such as the "Meniti Sulong", duck catching, pillow fight and boating tug-of-war was held everyday, drawing crowds by the thousands to the Kuching Waterfront.Stalls doing soft selling were also set up along the stretch of the Waterfront and the Main Bazaar roadside where several stalls in the vicinity can be seen selling drinks, food, clothing, handicrafts and traditional cakes for the Regatta spectators and tourists.The Sarawak Regatta committee todate had collected a total of RM685,000 and grants from various sponsors.Grants received for the Sarawak Regatta 2008 summed up to a total of RM370,000 coming from the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia and Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism Malaysia where Minister, Dato' Sri Wong Soon Koh was also the chairman of the Sarawak Regatta Permanant Committee.Also among the sponsors were Shell Berhad, Petronas Malaysia Berhad, Telekom Malaysia, Ta Ann Holding Sdn Bhd, Global Upline Sdn Bhd, Murphy Sarawak Oil and Cahya Mata Sarawak Sdn Bhd. Sponsorships included apparels for committee members from STIDC and in kind from Telekom Malaysia, Water Genesis and Nestle. Eastern times |
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