Nazri: Marathon cancelled because of shortage of China participants

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysia Marathon Kuala Lumpur 2017 was cancelled after its organisers failed to sign up at least 5,000 participants from China, Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said.

He said the minimum number of China participants required was stipulated in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed last May.

“They (the organisers) failed to meet the target. When we (the ministry) went to Beijing last May, there was an MoU that was signed, witnessed by me and also by the athletic association of China.

“They were supposed to bring 5,000 from China. But because they failed to meet the target, the organisers felt it was best to cancel the event,” Nazri said yesterday.

The marathon, scheduled for Oct 1, was under the Belt and Road initiative, aimed at promoting cultural exchanges between China and Malaysia.

Its cancellation earlier this week caused much dismay among participants.

The Chinese government appointed Wisdom Group to organise the event, along with their Malaysia counterpart, Wisdom Sports (M) Sdn Bhd.

On the marathon’s official website, the organisers stated that registered runners will receive a full refund “within 30 working days”.

On the Tourism Tax, which went into effect on Sept 1, Nazri said the implementation was progressing well and the ministry has yet to receive any negative feedback.

It has been reported that some tourists refused to pay the tax at budget hotels, forcing the hotel owners to absorb the tax.

Earlier, Nazri said there will be 14 categories open for nomination for the Malaysia Tourism Awards 2016/2017.

Two new categories introduced are Best Entertainment Spot and Best Airline.

He said the public can make their nominations until Sept 30 via the ministry’s official website or on nomination form from Tourism Malaysia offices. The awards ceremony is expected to be held in January 2018.