GOOD PACE: Participants set off at a good pace during the Borneo Highlands Run (Women) event at the foothill of the Borneo Highlands Resort. — Photo by Churchill Edward
PADAWAN: Borneo Highlands Resort (BHR) has plenty to offer to the Sarawak football team in terms of venue and facilities for the purpose of re-energizing players.
The relaxing atmosphere at the resort could also be a place for the players to wind down after hard fought battles in the Premier League that saw them unbeaten in all matches to become the champion and warranted them to play top flight football in the Malaysia Super League next season.
BHR manager Muhammad Syafiq Nair said he not only congratulates the Bujang Senang team but also offers them the venue and facilities at the resort, which is only a 45- minute drive from the city.
He said the football players can also train at the plateau (some sort of a flat land) of the highland resort apart from getting energised from the surrounding fresh air.
He pointed out that the air in the area is fresher and cleaner and the view from the highland is panoramic and scenic.
The players and management staff of the Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) could also play some rounds of golf, he added.
“This is one of the ways we could congratulate a winning team. We offer them venue and facilities for relaxation and training while they are getting fresh energy. This is the place for people to get recharged,” said Sayfiq when met here at the sideline of the Borneo Highlands Padawan Nature Challenge (BPHNC) 2013 event here yesterday.
Should FAS be interested in his invitation, their officials could always approach him to work out some win-win solution for both the state team and BHR, he said.
On another issue, Sayfiq said he would like people to change their perception about BHR
and the Borneo Highlands overall.
“It is not exclusive like what most people think. It is not only a place for the rich and the elite. That is why we are helping Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) to organise various events for the public so that they do not have this perception. The highlands is in fact accessible and the road leading to the top is nothing to be feared.
“Various events were held to allow time for the public to view and survey the road and to have confidence driving up it,” he said.
BHPNC 2013 featured four categories – MPP Chairman Challenge Trophy (a bicycle race event); Borneo Highlands Run (an 8KM-distance jogerthon); Magnum Penrissen Summit Trekking Challenge and Malta Batu Panggah Trekking Challenge.
The objectives of the event are to promote the interest in nature, adventure, sports and healthy lifestyle; Padawan, including BHR, as a place for eco-adventure tourism and the collaboration between the public and private sector in enhancing eco-tourism in Sarawak, he said.
The annual BHPNC is basically a running, cycling and trekking adventure with competition categories for experts, amateurs and those who love nature and the environment, he added.
The other main annual event to be held at the BHR is the Bird Race (or bird watching) in September, targeting nature lovers as participants.
He thanked the media, associates, event managers and participants in contributing their part to promote BHR, and because of this the resort recorded the highest number of day visitors and day trippers during this year’s Gawai Dayak season.
Two notable weddings had also been held at BHR for the first time in many years at the resort because of these promotion, he added.
Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang were among the VIPs giving away the prizes yesterday.