Raja Libas Borneo listed in state's tourism calendar
LAWAS: Raja Libas Borneo(RLB) Sepak Takraw Championship will be included in Sarawak's tourism calendar of events next year.
Limbang Resident Ir Ahmad Denney Ahmad Fauzi said the move would help boost sports tourism in the state.
"This premier sepak takraw event in Borneo will be supported and receive annual allocation from the state government,” he said after the conclusion of RLB 2020 here last weekend.
The third edition of the competition was held at the roofed multi-purpose basketball court in the heart of Lawas Town.
Meanwhile, the upcoming opening of the Temburong bridge in Brunei will be a significant boon for Lawas and sporting events such as RLB.
Ahmad Denney said the bridge would help attract more visitors to Lawas.
"This will accelerate the socioeconomic development of Lawas district, “he added.
Meanwhile, RLB advisor and central exco member of Saberkas Awangku Jinal Abidin Pengiran Jawa said that they would continue to promote the event and draw more participants and visitors to Lawas.
“We look forward to seeing more people from outside Borneo coming to watch RLB,“Awangku Jinal said, adding that the women's category would be further expanded in the future.
A total of 32 teams from Sarawak, Sabah, Labuan and Brunei took part in RLB 2020.
Nine teams competed in the newly introduced women's category – Puteri Libas Borneo.
Permata Lawas A emerged the champions while Sukma C Sabah claimed the women's title.
Among those at the event were Lawas District Officer Ladin Atok, Sarawak Sepak Takraw Association vice president Abdul
Hamid Suleiman, RLB organising chairman Semie Nasip, Saberkas Bukit Sari chairman Abu Bahrin Reduan, Limbang Division Sepak
Takraw Association chairman Mohamad Matasan and representatives from Malaysia Sepak Takraw Association.