Friday, March 17, 2006

Kuching, Sarawak seeks share in sports tourism


By SHARON LING

KUCHING: The inaugural Saberkas RH Marathon on March 26 will help promote Kuching as a location for similar sporting events, Sarawak Housing Minister Datuk Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg said.

“We want to promote Kuching as a place that can host big sports events like marathons and position it for the sports tourism market,” he said.

The biggest event of its kind to be held in Sarawak, the marathon is organised by Saberkas, the state’s largest youth organisation.

Abang Johari, who is also Saberkas deputy president, said runners from 17 countries had confirmed their participation.

They included world-class runners from Kenya, New Zealand and South Africa.

He said Saberkas would continue to promote sports as a healthy lifestyle among Sarawakians.

He later received sponsorships of bottled water and soya bean drinks from Water Genesis Sdn Bhd and FFM Marketing Sdn Bhd respectively.

He also received sponsorship from the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation, which will pay for the hotel accommodation.

The marathon, which is sanctioned by the Malaysian Amateur Athletic Union and the Sarawak Amateur Athletic Association, is divided into eight categories – the full 42km run for men and women, 21km half-marathon for men and women, 10km veteran run for men and women and 10km junior run for boys and girls aged between 13 and 18 years.

Further details and entry forms are available at www.saberkasrhmarathon2006.com.

Source: The Star

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