KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahirrudin has given his blessing for the 2022/7th FCAS International Dragon Boat Race, which will be held here next month.
He also praised and acknowledged the significant contributions of the annual cultural sports event, towards promoting national unity, cultural sports and tourism.
He expressed this during the courtesy call by the delegation from The Federation of Sabah Chinese Associations (FCAS) led by its President, Tan Sri T.C Goh, at the Seri Kinabalu State Palace here, on Thursday. In the meeting which lasted 45 minutes, both parties had a cordial discussion about the progress and programmes line-up of the dragon boat race. Also in attendance were FCAS deputy president cum organising chairman for the dragon boat race, Datuk Susan Wong, vice presidents, Datuk Chua Soon Ping, Kapitan Fung Chun Fatt, Kapitan Lim Vun Chan, Ng Young Wah and David Chan Chun Ket, treasurer-general Datuk Yong Soo Pin, and treasurer-general Chen Ee Sheng.
Goh who is also President of The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) also presented Juhar with a memento for the dragon boat race, in appreciation of his support for cultural events organised by the Chinese community, all these years.
Besides this, he also thanked Juhar for his open-and-caring attitude towards the people, especially for always encouraging and promoting cultural development of various ethnic groups in Sabah, in line with the “Malaysian Family” concept espoused by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
“We in FCAS are indeed very fortunate to have the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Sabah’s recognition and support all these years, which essentially made this annual cultural sport event a successful one, each year, besides being a hit among the people of all races,” added Goh in a statement issued today.
When interviewed by RTM and the Sabah Information Department later, Goh acknowledged that due to the fact that some countries and regions have yet to fully open their borders, besides the complicated procedures for Covid-19 test at the immigration, it might affect the participation of foreign participants this year. Nonetheless, participation from local participants has been encouraging, thus far.
“Response from the local teams has exceeded our expectations. Besides Chinese participants, we also received participation from other ethnic groups in the state, including students of University Malaysia Sabah, as well as some participants from Peninsular Malaysia, including the top dragon boat team from Penang,” he said.
Meanwhile, its organising chairman, Datuk Susan Wong said the 7th FCAS International Dragon Boat Race will be held from 1st to 3rd July, at Tanjung Lipat here. On 1 July, there will be a Beach Party in the evening to welcome the participants and for them to get to know each other; on 2 July, the preliminary round of the boat race will be held in the morning, and to be followed by the inaugural sunset run which is organized by the youth wing of FCAS; on 3 July, there will be the final races cum prize presentation ceremony in the morning, while in the afternoon, visitors will get to enjoy the rice dumplings wrapping contest, which is another significant event to mark the annual Dumpling Festival celebrations.
She also disclosed that earlier the organising committee has also invited Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor to officiate at the dragon boat race, besides inviting State Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Angin to flag off participants at the sunset run.-pr/BNN
