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| Please join in: The TOS2016 committee welcomes cycling enthusiasts to join the championship in January. |
KUCHING: The Tour of Sarawak International Cycling Championship (TOS2016) is expected to propel Sarawak into the world map, especially among world cycling community.
Themed “Sports Tourism is the Next Big Thing”, this five-day championship from Jan 13 to 17, 2016 is organised by Fadz Industries Sdn Bhd with the collaboration of Sarawak Ministry of Social Develop- ment and Ministry of Sports and Youth Malaysia.
The race will start from Miri to major cities in the state, namely Bintulu, Sibu, Sarikei, Betong, Sri Aman, Serian and ending in Kuching.
This 2.2-rating championship is the first large cycling event organised in the state and it will be similar to the idea of Tour de Langkawi or Tour de France.
Around 20 international and national teams will take part in the race. Sub-state teams are subjected to invitations because the race only involves continental teams and semi-professional teams.
Registration will open in September and the teams must comply with the standard rating of 2.2.
Youth Development (Urban) Assistant Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah said this championship was given recognition by the International Cycling Union. Therefore winners of the race will be given accreditation.
“For this race, we will integrate side events at Betong, Sri Aman and Kuching. As the racers have to rest, crew members and others involved will live in Longhouses. We also try to promote the beauty of Sarawak’s ethnicity,” said Karim at a press conference at Bangunan Baitulmakmur.
A positive impact is expected to be received through economic spill-over effect towards the cycling industry directly, and also towards the tourism and cultural industries in Sarawak.
This cycling championship tour proves to be a cost-effective platform in comprehensive promoting of tourist locations and local cultures.
“Hopefully during the championship, it will bring joy to the entire state. I also hope that the race will be well received by the people of Sarawak so that it can be a success,” said Karim.
He said should the event be a success, it could be considered as a much anticipated yearly or biennial event.
The championship has attracted quite a number of teams stating their interests since the launching of Tour of Sarawak 2016 by state Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan in April.
Mawan said they were looking into some of the joint developments to some of the facilities here by inviting the cyclists to continue with the investment in this sport tourism project.
TOS2016 has been officially registered with the Malaysian National Cycling Federation and with the technical assistance of the Sarawak Cycling Association, it will be officially included in the official tour calendar, making this championship on par with other similar cycling championships within its class.
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