KOTA KINABALU: A local group calling themselves “Try Our Luck Bah”, won the 10th KK City Tourism Treasure Hunt yesterday.
Salehuddin Yusof, Azeman Saarin, Fazliana Ibrahim and Adrian Julian received prizes worth RM11,597, including a cash prize worth RM8,000.
The second spot was claimed by the “Borneo Hunter” group, which comprised Norashikin Aziz, Rhyrita Sukiman, Salleh Tating and Zizi Irlanty Aznan from Kuala Lumpur. They took home prizes totalling RM8,897, including a cash prize of RM5,000.
“The Revenge of Hakuna Matata” group who were third, took home a cash prize of RM3,000 and other prizes worth RM6,577.
One hundred and thirty groups from throughout the country took part in the event which started at Nexus Karambunai. They later followed a pre-determined route mapped out earlier by a ‘rally tulip’ which took them to places in and out of the city to hunt for clues and answers, before ending at the same place around 3.30pm.
The annual event, with the theme of ‘Green and Clean’, was jointly organized by City Hall and the Tourism Ministry, Sabah (MOTOUR).
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun who presented the prizes to the winners at Nexus Karambunai, said the event helped to boost domestic tourism. Masidi issued a challenge to test the participants’ knowledge of the city and its environment.
“KK City Tourism Treasure Hunt is a strong and attractive platform to promote tourism in Kota Kinabalu. The city is blessed with a diversity of attractions and rich cultural heritage.
“The city is a stone’s throw from the scenic islands with their pristine beaches. Through this experience, we hope hunters would also enjoy and appreciate the beauty of nature and the wonderful culture and tradition of the state,” he said.
Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir, who was also present, said the organizers had prepared cash prizes totalling RM20,500 for the event and othered prizes offered by 35 sponsors which included tour packages, electrical and sports goods.
Abidin said the organisers would expect more participation for next year’s hunt, especially from the peninsula and other parts of the state.