I’M READY: Talib (seated centre) giving the thumbs up before joining the crew in their demonstration session on the water. Also seen are (from left) coach Danny Choo, Phillipa, Tourism and Heritage Ministry permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik and Aaliyah (seated second right).
KUCHING: Kuching has been chosen to host the 2011 Sarawak Wakeboard World Cup from Sept15-18 because the rivers here have been deemed clean and suitable for water sports.
The event, which will take place at Kuching Waterfront, will see participation from 17 countries and be broadcasted in at least 65 countries.
Tourism and Heritage Assistant Minister Datuk Talib Zulpilip appealed to the public not to throw garbage into the river to ensure it stays clean for water activities that began yesterday, as well as for the event ahead.
He was speaking after officiating at the Waterski and Wakeboard Training School, which operates from the Waterfront.
They will be training 12 young skiers nominated by the Sarawak Sports Council, as well as offering locals and tourists a chance to test their mettle on the water.
The activity is supported by Tourism and Heritage Ministry and Social Development and Urbanisation Ministry.
Talib himself gamely had a go on a set of waterskis behind the 370hp Mastercraft Pro Star 197 Tow Boat, delighting onlookers with two failed attempts and a triumphant few seconds skimming across the water in his successful third try.
International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) and World Cup organisers Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup Sdn Bhd delivered the boat to Kuching last week.
Among the waterski and wakeboard stars taking part in yesterday’s demonstration and testing were national chief coach and former SEA Games gold medalist Phillipa Yoong, as well as her 8-year-old half sister Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah, who is currently ranked in Asia’s top six in tricks in the open women division.
Also joining the ladies was wakeboard and jump coach from China, Shu Zhenyu, who was the 2008 Asian jump champion.
Commercial operations will start after a week of testing and training of Sarawak’s youths.
Sessions are available at RM300 per hour on weekends and public holidays, and RM250 per hour on weekdays, between 9am to 6pm, Tuesdays to Sundays. Coaching is also available at an additional RM120 per hour.
For more information or bookings, call 012-2721948 or 016-8882666.
IWWF event director for Malaysia Hanifah Yoong said that they would be training the local young athletes for the Asian Championship as well as next year’s Asian Beach Games in China.
“I’m hopeful that one or two of them will be representing our country,” he said.
Yoong added that Sarawakian youths are natural sportsmen, excelling in swimming, diving and other water-related sports.
“We really got the urge and desire to produce some international level skiers and wakeboarders from Sarawak.”
He said that they preferred them to start as young as five years old if possible.
“If you start at five, you have a chance to be a world class skier. If at 12, Asian champion but no chance to be a world champion.
If you start as an adult, you can become a regional or national champion. Our ambition is to develop world-class skiers. We like them to be very young when they start training.”
On the 2011 Sarawak Wakeboard World Cup, Yoong said that the top 20 men and top 12 women waterskiers and wakeboarders in the world are invited to this elite event, which carries a total prize of US$100,000.
The event will be televised in more than 65 countries via networks like Sky Sports and ESPN. In addition, there will be a live webcast, done by a crew from England.
“Traditional media is a must, but we also use alternative media for promotion,” said Yoong.