First-ever mountain bike event in Sibu Jaya attracts over 100 cyclists
SIBU: More than 100 cyclists converged on Sibu Jaya on Sunday for the inaugural Sibu Jaya Mountain Bike Challenge 2017.
The majority of participants were from Sibu, Kuching, Bintulu and Miri with one cyclist coming all the way from Selangor.
The challenge was the highlight of Sibu Jaya Festival 2017, organised by Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC).
Political secretary to chief minister Edwin Banta represented Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan to f lag off the race.
In his remarks, SRDC chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai said given the good response received for the first edition, the council planned to hold the mountain bike challenge on a larger scale next year.
Asked on its tourism potential, he said: “We are also looking at the potential for the Sibu Jaya Mountain Bike Challenge to become a sports tourism attraction. I see big potential in the mountain bike challenge and other extreme sports for Sarawak to unearth local talents to represent Sibu and, Sarawak, at future extreme sports events, the X- Games, Malaysia Games ( Sukma) or even at SEA Games.
“It can also bring about business opportunities for the locals, especially the extreme sport enthusiasts.”
The Sibu Jaya Festival 2017, which ran from Oct 6 to 8, featured 17 events.