Hosting international events a way to boost Miri tourism, says Lee
MIRI: Organising international competitions is one of the ways to boost the local tourism industry and at the same time, it can highlight the city on the world’s map.
According to Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Miri has the geographical advantages for holding sports events – thanks to its natural forestry and biodiversity.
He stated this when met during the Miri Hash House Harriers ( HHH)’s Chinese New Year gathering here on Saturday evening.
“The Miri HHH is a social running club that promotes physical fitness among its members. Two years ago, they organised and hosted an event participated by runners from foreign countries like Brunei, New Zealand, and Australia.
“It would be great for them to organise this ( hash event) again, at a larger scale than before, enabling more foreign participants to come to Miri and experience its beauty at different paces,” said Lee.
Expressing a similar sentiment, Miri HHH grandmaster Chong Mai Kin said the club would look forward to holding more running events slated for boosting Miri’s reputation as a ‘tourism city’.
“Miri has a lot of potential and everything is here. All we need is to push it further, by organising events that would attract people to come here,” he said.
On the Chinese New Year gathering, which hosted 140 Miri HHH members among its guests, Chong said the event also raised funds for three different beneficiaries – the communitybased rehabilitation centre ( PDK) for Batu Niah, SM Pei Min and a school- girl, Serene Wong Hong Sien.
Serene was severely injured after the cooking gas blast at her house in Senadin last year and since them she has been receiving post-surgery treatments.
Chong said the donation would help cover the cost of Serene’s expensive treatments and medication.
On the newly- established PDK Batu Niah, he said it houses around 30 children with special needs.
“The centre still needs financial support from the local community. Upon learning about its stuggle, the Miri HHH decided to raise money to help the PDK,” he said.