Dr Sinang (fifth left) receives the new challenge trophy from Manyin, as others including John David (second left), Immanuel (fourth right) and Magit (second right) look on.
KUCHING: About 100 golfers are expected to take part at the 13th World Bidayuh Golf Championship (WBGC) taking place at Samarahan Country Club on April 29.
Organising chairman of this year’s WBGC, Dr Simon Sinang Bada said the numbers represent an increase of 20 golfers from last year’s tournament.
He disclosed that starting this year, a new category will be introduced for invited golfers from other ethnic communities.
He also mentioned that the main trophy Dato Sri Michael Manyin Challenge Trophy and two other smaller trophies for gross and nett categories are to be vied by Bidayuh golfers only.
“This year, the Dato Sri Michael Manyin Challenge Trophy is a new one, since the last trophy was won by (a seasoned golfer) Magit Semong for the third time in last year’s tournament, thus earning him the right to keep the trophy,” he said.
Dr Sinang was leading a delegation from the organising committee who paid a courtesy call on Youth, Sports and Solidarity Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong at the latter’s office yesterday.
The WBGC started in 2005 and is open only for golfers from the Bidayuh community and those with Bidayuh ancestry.
It opened its participation to a select few golfers from other communities last year for the VIP category.
Dr Sinang said three Bidayuh elected representatives, Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus, Kedup assemblyman Martin Ben and Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh, have agreed to sponsor prizes for the invited golfers category.
“The invited golfers category is for golfers from other communities such as Malays, Chinese, Ibans and Orang Ulu. Among those coming will be a few from Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.
Yesterday’s meeting with Manyin also saw the presentation of incentives to up and coming Bidayuh golfer Immanuel David, who represented Sarawak in last year’s Malaysia Games (Sukma).
Among those present were a political secretary to the chief minister John David Nyauh, Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) secretary general Jubilant Austinway and vice president Joseph Jindy, and the defending champion Magit.