Baram Regatta 2017 set to attract huge crowd
MARUDI: With just a day to go before the Baram Regatta 2017, participants of the various races and events and spectators alike are already at this riverine town in large numbers.
People and paddlers from Tutoh and Apoh regions in upper Baram have started to arrive here since the weekend.
A team from Long Leng, which will be participating for the first time in the longboat race, was among the first to arrive here days ago led by their headman Lolee Mirai.
“We are here to participate in the regatta. Winning is secondary. If we do win that is a bonus,” Lolee said, adding their participation was to show their strong support to their assemblyman Dennis Ngau.
Meanwhile, the Berawan team, which is known for the Ular Tedung and Tedung Melancar, is expected to arrive here today.
“The team is sending many boats to the race this year,” said their leader Penghulu Herbert Lawai Epoi when met yesterday morning.
“We are strong and I understand that our usual challenger from Belaga is not coming this time. Thus, I expect a good result this year. We have been practising for the past three months,” Lawai said.
Meanwhile, the preparation from the Baram Regatta entered the last phase as of yesterday.
The main stage at the town square has been put up and the canopies at the esplanade are also up.
Booths and trading kiosks are ready to receive the traders.
The main stage is put up at the town centre (esplanade), near to where the action will be.
In 2015, the main stage was set up at the mini stadium here, which is quite a distance away, resulting in complaints from many people.