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| Abang Johari (wearing dark jacket), flanked by Abdul Karim on his left and Snowdan, waves to the spectators during a photo-call with the dragon-boat racers at Kuching Waterfront. |
KUCHING: The whole stretch of Kuching Waterfront is filled with various activities run in conjunction with the annual Sarawak Regatta-Kuching Waterfront Festival this year, running till Nov 4.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg yesterday performed the eye-dotting ceremony and the handover of boat paddles to the representatives of 12 participating countries to symbolically launch the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta (SIDBR).
Later, he officiated at the opening of a handicrafts festival, and also the ‘Sarawak Kitchen’.
This year, the SIDBR is hosting 30 teams from 12 countries –all vying for the coveted trophy at the finals today.
Speaking to reporters after the launch, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah viewed the participation for SIDBR 2018 as ‘very encouraging’.
“We have seen an increase of teams for this year’s dragon boat regatta,” said Abdul Karim, adding that this time, the race is welcoming new participants from Germany and Switzerland.
Other competing nations are Brunei, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia.
On the handicrafts festival, Abdul Karim said it would be hosting more than 100 stalls selling various products from all over Malaysia.
“Seventy per cent of the stalls are from Sarawak – the remaining ones are from Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia,” he said, estimating that sales from the festival could exceed RM1 million.
He also said at night, the Kuching Waterfront would come alive with various musical events – aimed at creating a carnivalesque atmosphere there that would attract more crowds.
Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Sim Kui Hian, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan and Kuching Resident Ismail Mohamad Hanis were among those witnessing the event launch.
Meanwhile, the 146th Sarawak Regatta is themed ‘Race For Harmony’ this year.
The preliminary heats for all 13 race categories will kick off this Nov 2.
On Nov 4, Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib are expected to attend and witness the highly-anticipated ‘VIP’ and ‘Raja Sungai’ (King of the River’) races. -TheBorneoPost
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