Japanese visitors experience Keningau hospitality
KENINGAU: The head of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) delegation, Hideteshi Ichijo, was excited about the beauty of nature and culture of people here, especially the hospitality shown by teachers and residents of SK Kampung Ulu Senagang during their two- day visit here.
“We are very excited because the beauty of nature here is very interesting and the culture of life here is very different from Japan, and this is a sweet memory to us,” he told reporters after attending the Ulu Senagang programme here on Wednesday.
Hideteshi, who led the 18member delegation comprising teachers from Hokkaido, Japan, said they were well received here and enjoyed the various Murut cultural performances such as the Sumazau dance which they also took part in.
He said they would be introducing the Keningau culture and region to the people of Japan on their return so that they may become interested and choose to travel here in the future, especially this year in conjunction with Visit Keningau Year 2018 (VKY2018).
“The selection of locations at the Kampung Mongool Baru Ulu Senagang Homestay, which is also within the area of the Crocker Range Park, was our choice because we heard there was an attractive homestay with the beauty of nature here,” Hideteshi said.
Meanwhile, assistant district officer Celestine Jetony said the VKY2018 programme began with a celebration with the JICA delegation at SK Ulu Senagang here.
According to Celestine, the visit from the JICA at the school was the first VKY2018 programme since its launch on December 1 last year by Deputy Chief Minister cum Infrastructure Development Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.
“For this programme, we are very satisfied with the preparation and response that we have received from the teachers, students and villagers here in welcoming the guests from Hokkaido, Japan.
“In this programme, we can see this celebration prove that the people of Keningau always welcome tourists from within and outside the country to travel to this area,” he told reporters here.
On behalf of the district officer, Celestine also hoped for the Keningau community to continue to provide support to the programmes carried out for VKY2018.
During the programme, various events were held including exhibitions from the Keningau National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), Tudan Baru Cycling Club (TBCC), Ulu Senagang cultural performances and VKY2018 exhibition from the Keningau Youth Club.
They also played traditional Japanese games with the JICA delegation, such as Fuku Warai, Origami, Mame Tsukami, Kendama, Syuji and Nawatobi.