Masidi: Turn BIYC into premier event

KOTA KINABALU: The organisers of the Borneo International Yachting Challenge (BIYC) have been given a tall order of making and turning the race into a premier event in this region.

They have also been given a target of luring 100 yachts in five years.

Sarawak Infrastructure, Development and Communication Assistant Minister, Datuk Lee Kim Shin strongly believes that BIYC can be the talk of the yachting world or the very least in this region if they put more efforts in popularising and promoting the race.

In line with this he called on the organisers – Sabah, Labuan and Sarawak – to work closely together towards realising their common dreams.

“We would like to make this a world renowned yachting event and establish Borneo as the premier yachting venue in the region,” he said at a prize ceremony dinner here on Friday.

“Sarawak, Labuan and Sabah need to come together strongly and work more closely to get this done

“If we work closely and really promote this event I think we can make it big enough to have 100 yachts competing. I hope it will happen in five years,” said Lee, who is also the advisor for the 7th BIYC 2010 that attracted 44 yachts with 151 crews representing 14 nations where Purpose Driven Team from the Philippines was crowned the overall winner yet again this time around.

“Or maybe it might even happen in the next few years, and if luck is on our side we might be able to achieve the target next year.

Lee’s remarks received great applause from guests attending the dinner, who were mostly international participants.

He also called on the participants, who are from various parts of the world (Australia, British Virgin Island, Canada, France, Germany, Holland, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Sweden, United Kingdom, USA and Vanuatu) to relate this event to their friends and relatives to help generate greater awareness and interest.

In the other hand, Sabah’s Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Datuk Masidi Manjun said there has been an increase of interest in this sport in recent years.

He said Sabah’s accessibility by sea and world class facilities attracted 17,166 tourist arrivals by cruise ships, last year, from the Netherlands, Italy, Bahamas and Bermuda.

“There is definitely a great potential for the cruising industry to develop in Sabah,” he said in his speech read out by Sabah Tourism Board Chairman Tengku Zainal Adlin prior to his arrival.

Masidi also assured future visitors of their safety as the Royal Malaysian Police, Coast Guard, Navy and State Government are committed to train the local enforcement in becoming wardens of their own areas.

“These programmes would encourage the local enforcement to maintain and practice measures that are applicable and custom-made to their own ability.

“When necessary, the Ministry would also work with the Royal Police and Maritime Agency,” said Masidi.