Lakin Belaga best-of-the-best with double win in raft safari

KAPIT: Team Lakin Belaga proved its superiority once more when it placed first in the men’s Bamboo Open and Paddle Boat categories of Baleh- Kapit Raft Safari 2019, both for the second year running.

For the Bamboo Open category, the team recorded a time of 7: 01: 25 to beat out rivals PRS Youth 64/ 61 and Team Anang Cabut MIDT, who clocked 7:19: 28 and 8: 40: 34 to place second and third, respectively.

The consolation prize went to Team N49 Ngemah.

Only four teams took part this time around compared to 10 last year.

For the Paddle Boat category, Lakin Belaga easi ly beat its rivals to secure victory with a time of 4: 50: 48.

Desuka, representing Kapit Civic Centre, placed second with a time of 4: 59: 48 while PDRM Kapit clocked a time of 5: 02: 31 to finish in third.

Lakin Belaga ( Ke t u a Masyarakat Belaga) and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera ( PBB) Sarawak teams both shine in the Safari 2019 as they won the championship titles in their respective categories.

Ruwas Kapit, Rando Bahagian Kapit and Pasuka KADDCLA rounded up the rest of the competitors, finishing fourth to sixth respectively.

Both categories were f lagged off at Rumah Lugat in Nanga Semawang, Baleh.

Meanwhile, the men’s Bamboo Closed cat e gory s aw PBB Sarawak successfully defend its title, beating 10 other teams with a time of 2: 59: 54.

Second-placed Pasukan Tekura Nyemerai registered 3: 13: 40 to edge out Desuka, who finished in third with a time of 3: 24:13.

The fourth to 10th- placed winners respect ively were Landas, PIBG SK Ng Yong, Oyan Pirates-PIGB SK Ng Oyan, Medansari Bina Sdn Bhd, Oyan Warriors- PIBG SK Ng Oyan, Sarawak Energy A and Sarawak Energy B.

The women’s Bamboo Open category saw Biro Wanita Rumah Ukau Bawai clinch the challenge trophy, beating out JKKK Rumah Ticho Tubau and Biro Wanita Rumah Minggat Ng Bawai who placed second and third, respectively.

In the men’s Free Style category, Bujang Banyau Pematak Kayau beat defending champion Usun United in a record time of 2: 28: 36 to lift challenge trophy.

Usun United crossed the line just five minutes later to finish second in a time of 2: 33: 36, while Kelab Sokanjaya Bahagian Kapit came in third at 3: 48: 27.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Assistant Minister of Native Laws and Customs Datuk John Sikie, Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon and Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit presented the prizes to the winners of the various categories.

The prize-giving ceremony took place at Kapit Express Wharf Terminal on April 7, which was the final day of the two- day BalehKapit Raft Safari 2019.

Snowdan flashes the thumbs-up as he presents the challenge trophy to the PBB Sarawak team for winning the Bamboo Closed category. Looking on behind (from right) are Chukpai, Jamit, Nanta and others.

Masing presents the champion’s trophy to a representative of Lakin Belaga for winning the Bamboo Open category.

The volunteers including Willie (fifth right), Aloysious (second right) and Chee (fourth left) in a photocall after the work party.