Third GATA Festival expects crowd of 50,000

KOTA KINABALU : The third GATA Festival in Sipitang celebrating the tamu and top expects a crowd of more than 50,000 this year with te completion of the road linking Tenom and Sipitang.

In previous years, the number of people flocking to the event have been in the region of 30 to 40,000 said main organising chairperson, Datuk Sapawi Ahmad.

The biennial festival will be held on 3 to 5 August this year and promises to retain its cultural flavour by showcasing traditional games that feature “gasing” or top.

Other highlights include a Borneo and international invitational gasing championships, traditional food carnival, cat contest and concert in the evening.

Sapawi, the assemblyman for Sindumin, said the Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman is expected to launch the event and he will also perform the groundbreaking ceremony of the Sipitang Esplanade on the same day.

He was speaking after he launched the festival website at a hotel here yesterday.

Visitors logging on to www.gatasipitang.gov.my not only learn more about the festival on the website but also get to know the district of Sipitang.