MIRI: Cyclists from China and Singapore would be among the over seventy cyclists competing in the Subis Cycling Challenge Championship 2011 held today at 7 am at Bekenu town, Subis.
Organising Secretary, Harifen Mansor said the majority of the foreign participants are from Brunei with 16 cyclists, Sabah -15, Semenanjung – 5, Singapore and China – one each while the rest are from Sarawak.
“We are expecting more participants as entries only closed at 5 pm yesterday for the 90km Road Race while that for under 17 years for both boys and girls category closed today at 7 am.
“So cycling enthusiasts particularly those in Miri should grab the opportunity to take part in the championship which offers cash prize of RM5, 000,” said Harifen to the Borneo Post after the handing over of sponsorship ceremony by Edaran Tan Chong Motor, and Station Petronas Mosjaya.
On hand to receive the sponsorship was the organising Chairman, Boniface Intang Apat, who is also Miri District Officer. Edaran Tan Chong Motor, represented by Audrey Yong the Miri Branch Manager, sponsored four vehicles for the judges while the Mosjaya Petronas Shell station, represented by its proprietor Julani Mokhtar sponsored fuel for all the officials’ vehicles during the championship.
Fuel will be sponsored for the 20 motorcycles from the Kelab Motorsikal Jaguh Miri that accompanied the cyclists throughout the 90km Road race started from Bekenu town to Batu Niah and back to Bekenu.
Harifen thanked all the sponsors for assisting in organising the championship, the third being held in Sarawak after Limbang and Bintulu last year.
“We introduced for the first time the Road Race in Subis while in the two previous championship, only involved mountainbikes.
“As such, lucrative prizes awaits the winner with the champion in the Men Open (Road – 90km) will take away RM1,500, first runner up – RM1,000 and second runner up will get RM500,” said Harifen.
The championship is jointly organised by the Miri District Office with the Subis District Council, the Sarawak Sports Council and the Sarawak Extreme Cycling Club.
It is among other things to promote cycling as a competitive sport and to scout for talents especially among local cyclists to represent the state in future competitions, and to promote Sibuti as an ideal venue for extreme sports.
It is also in line with the efforts to make Miri Division as the sports power house in the state.
The Member of Parliament for Sibuti, Ahmad Lai Bujang is scheduled to flag off the race tomorrow.
Also invited to the function are the assemblywoman for Bekenu, Rosey Yunus and Datuk Aidan Wing, assemblyman for Lambir.