Promote BIYC early to attract internationals

MIRI: The Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism Sarawak was pleased to be associated with Borneo International Yachting Challenge (BIYC) since its inaugural edition in year 2003.
Its Minister, Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said the State Government via the ministry has given total support to the event and prompted it to be one of the international events in the Sarawak tourism calendar.
“I notice that the event must be anchored and promoted early in order to attract international participation. We will do our very best in its promotion and I’m sure Sarawak Tourism Board will agree that they will be able to reach out to as many amateurs, enthusiasts and professionals who are interested to join in the race,” he said while launching the closing ceremony of 4th BIYC 2007 at ParkCity Everly Hotel on Friday.
Dato Wong’s text of speech was read by Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Lee Kim Shin.
Wong would like the organisers to anchor the annual date and from there work on the race promotions at international level.
“Take cue from the success of our internationally acclaimed Rainforest World Music Festival when at the end of the successful finale, the date for next year’s event was announced to everyone,” he added.
He was confident that those who are eager to participate in the challenge will appreciate the ample time given for their planning and fitting it into their busy schedule. “And above all, participants will be able to plan to stay and at the same time enjoy the tourism offerings we have in and around Miri,” he said.
Similarly, Sarawak would also like to have the yachting race as part of an annual local Malaysian if not regional circuit.
“This might sound big and ambitious but it should be our ultimate aim to position the event in the international class circuit. I am sure the organising committee will be able to work on it and being in the 4th year in the running, it will be good to set the target to achieve this objective. It will be nice also to have Miri being placed in an international race circuit and do the State proud,” he said.
He congratulated the organising committee for being able to raise the event to what it is today and survive the past five years.
Organising such a, event, he said, is not an easy task but having gone through the previous editions testifies to the organisers’ commitment, enthusiasm and passion for the event.
Lee later presented the Overall Best of 4 Races (Inclusive of the Passage Race) to Lady Emma from New Zealand.
Purpose Driven from St.Vincent emerged champion for the IRC Racing to walk away with the prestigious Borneo Cup BIYC 2007.
Also present at the function were Pujut Assemblyman Andy Chia, owner of Miri Marina Troy Yaw, chairman of technical committee BIYC First Admiral (Maritime) Ahmad Fuzi Abd Kahar and the mayor of Miri City Council (MCC) Dato Wee Han Wen.

Written by:
Norni Mahadi
Eastern Times
10 September 2007