Captain of Sempulang Gana F3 team receives their prize from Nyabong (fourth right). Curtis is at right, back row.
Pemuda PBB Sarawak team captain, John Lang, proudly receives the champion’s prize from Nyabong (fourth right). The team won the championship title in the Men’s Open category. Curtis is on the right (back row).
Nyabong (fourth left) presents the champion’s prize for the Best Decorated Raft category to the captain of Briged 9 Infantri Malaysia.
KAPIT: Sempulang Gana F2 (Agriculture Department), Pemuda PBB Sarawak, Bujang Banyau Pematak Kayau, Wanita PBB and Ouna Kapit teams shone in the just concluded Baleh Kapit Raft Safari 2016 held from April 1 by winning the championship titles in their categories that ended on Sunday afternoon.
Defending champion Sempulang Gana F2 proved their superiority in the Men’s Bamboo Closed category (Inter Club and Department) with a record time of three hours 22 minutes and one second while its sister team Sempulang Gana F1 came in second place in a time of three hours 28 minutes and 10 seconds. Kadico from Kapit District Council came in third place (three hours 31 minutes and 39 seconds).
In fourth to ninth places in this category were Jabatan Bekalan Air Luar Bandar (JBAIS), Sarawak Energy, JKKK Rumah Lamau, Rando Song, Sarawak Hidro SdnBhd and Briged 9 Infantri Malaysia.
Bujang Banyau Pematak Kayau team beat four-times defending champion Usun United (JKKK Rh Pinen team) to win the Men’s Free Style category. It arrived at the finishing point in a record a time of two hours 35 minutes and 19 seconds. Usun United was second (two hours, 36 minutes and 32 seconds) while JKKK Nanga Tisa Yong team was in third place (two hours, 58 minutes and 59 seconds).
Wanita PBB this year captured the championship trophy of the Women’s Open category in a time of three hours 33 minutes and 20 seconds, beating the defending champion Wanita PRS Ferarri Nanga Banyau team who managed to come in third place with a time of three hours 41 minutes and two seconds. Sempulang Gana F3 was second (three hours 36 minutes and 44 seconds). In fourth place was Biro Wanita Rumah Lamau with a time of four hours three minutes and 29 seconds. In fifth and sixth places were CMS Roars (Ladies) and Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd respectively.
Winners of the above three other categories that began at the second transit station at Rumah Lamau received RM2,000 (champion), RM1,500 (second place) and RM1,000 (third place) plus a trophy each.
Those in fourth place received RM800, fifth place RM700 and sixth place received RM600. Those in seventh to tenth places received RM400 each.
Defending champion Pemuda PBB Sarawak had an easy win to lift the Men’s Open championship category for two successive years. Taking off from the first launching station at Rumah Nyamuk, Nanga Serau, Sungai Gaat, Baleh the team completed the race in a record time of six hours 47 minutes and 14 seconds. Last year they beat two-times defending champion Kelab Rekreasi Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah Kapit who was a step closer to permanently bring home the challenge trophy. Lelaki PRS Baleh team came in second place in a time of six hours 59 minutes and 49 seconds and Briged 9 Infantri Malaysia (510 AW) completed the race in third place with a time of seven hours 21 minutes and three seconds.
Fourth to fifth place winners and receiving consolation prizes were TEAM HR (Hulu Rajang) and Lakin PRS Belaga.
With that win, Pemuda PBB Sarawak brought home RM3,000, a championship trophy and the Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing Challenge Trophy.
Lelaki PRS Baleh received RM2,500 and a trophy while Briged 9 Infantri Malaysia received RM1,500 and a trophy. Fourth and fifth place winners received RM900 and RM800 and a trophy each respectively.
Meanwhile, Ouna Kapit team won the Paddle Boat category for the fourth time since it was introduced four years ago to lift the challenge trophy. It finished the race in a record time of five hours 14 minutes and 26 seconds. Ringat Enda Gali team finished in second place in a time of five hours 43 minutes and four seconds while Dara Janda Ngiga Laki team came in third (six hours seven minutes and 35 seconds). They received RM3,000, RM2,500 and RM1,500 and a trophy each respectively.
Giving away the prizes for the Men’s Bamboo Closed category, the Men’s Open category, Women’s Open and Men’s Free Style event was political secretary to the chief minister, Wilson Nyabong Ijang. Prizes for the Paddle Boat and the Best Decorated Raft categories were given away by Kapit Resident Joseph Belayong, who is the organising chairman of the competition.
Among others present at the prize giving ceremony held at Kapit Express Wharf Terminal were Bukit Mabong district officer Douglas Tunga and CMS managing director Datuk Richard Curtis.
The Best Decorated Raft category was won by Briged 9 Infantri Malaysia. In second and third places respectively were Bujang Banyau Pematak Kayau and Sarawak Hidro team. They received RM1,000, RM800 and RM500 and a trophy each respectively.
The flag-off at the first station at Rumah Nyamuk, Nanga Serau, Gaat, Baleh on April 2 was officiated by Hulu Rajang Member of Parliament Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong and Senator Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodie. Land Development Minister and Baleh assemblyman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing flagged off the second stage of the race at Rumah Lamau, Teluk Buing, Baleh on April 3.
This year was the 21st series of the annual international rafting competition since it was introduced in 1996. Last year the race was held from April 10-12 at Rumah Alan, Sungai Sekeroh Oyan, Mujong as the first flag off point and Rumah Weng, Nanga Sempurau, Mujong, Baleh as the second transit station that saw the participation of 36 teams.
Of the 28 teams taking part in the competitions this year, six teams were in the Men’s Bamboo Open category, nine teams in the Men’s Closed (Inter Department/Local Clubs and Associations), six teams in the Women Bamboo Open, three teams in the Paddle Boat category and four teams in the Free Style category.
Apart from local teams, this year’s competitions saw the participation of teams from Sibu and Kuching.
The first team to arrive at the finishing point at Kapit wharf was the Ouna team (Paddler Boat category) at 10.27 am while the last raft to arrive was that of Briged 9 Infantri Malaysia at 12.48pm.
To bring more cheer to the event, the organising committee slotted in several side activities such as a powerboat competition that involved some 80 boats.