Belayong (seated fourth left) is seen with organising committee members after the meeting.
KAPIT: The 23rd edition of the Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari will be held on April 6-8.
Kapit Resident Joseph Belayong Punan called for entries for the annual event, which he hoped would be grander than ever.
“This year, the first leg of the Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari is from Rumah Naga Sulok, at Nanga Merating, Sungai Bena, a tributary of Sungai Sut, Baleh on April 7, and on the second day, the flag-off point is from Rumah Bengau Andah, at Lepong Sut, Baleh River to the Kapit Express Passenger Terminal,” he said during the first committee meeting recently.
He also called on all government agencies and community leaders to send teams.
“While the route for the rafting competition takes between six and eight hours, this year the rafting distance is very short and both longhouses are accessible by road, about 30km from Kapit.
“With this short journey, we hope to get more participants this year to take part in the competition,” said Belayong.
There will also be many side events including ‘Pesta Kapit’, powerboat races, traditional games, exhibition booths, and handicraft sales.
The top three prizes for the Men’s Open category are RM3,000, RM2,500, and RM1,500 respectively.
For fourth to sixth place, the prizes are RM800, RM700, and RM600 respectively, while those placed seventh to 10th will receive RM500 each.
For the Men’s Closed, Freestyle, Women’s Closed, and Paddle Boat categories, the top three prizes are RM2,000, RM1,500, and RM1,000 respectively.
The fourth to sixth prizes for the categories are RM700, RM600, and RM500 respectively, while those placed seventh to 10th will receive RM400 each.
All winners will also receive a trophy each.
There is also a prize for the Best Decorated Raft, which will be announced later.
Entry forms are available from Kapit Resident’s Office, or by contacting the secretariat at 084-796230 or 084-796445, or going to www.kapitro.sarawak.gov.my.