By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, Jan 14: Maxwell Jalong and Anugra Gun have been named winners of the inaugural Kelab Belia Kampung Umah Akeh’s (KEBUMA) Sape Times online competition and bagged a cash prize of RM1,000.
Second place went to Robert Lenjau Lucas and Azron Engan John, who received RM500, while third place went to Calvin Donnet Rubin, who brought home RM300.
Meanwhile, five other consolation prize winners, Ferderick Maldini and Hayree Hashim; Gilbert Erang John; Shawn Finian Wong; Brennand Schawarzneger; and Ernest Vaneman and Amut Leonard, received RM150 each.
The contest, held virtually from November 1 to December 23 last year, has attracted 40 local sape enthusiasts Statewide. Eighteen talented sape players competed for the grand prize in the final stage.
All prizes were presented by the political secretary to the chief minister, Charles Balan Seling.
Also present were the Sarawak Arts Council (SAC) acting chief executive officer (CEO) Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan, and KEBUMA’s chairman Spanski Steven.
Awang Putrayusrie, in his opening remarks at the prize-giving presentation on Thursday held at a leading hotel here, applauded the effort made by KEBUMA in hosting the contest.
“It provided a platform for sape enthusiasts to showcase their skills and talents in the traditional musical instrument, apart from paving the way to promote the instrument to the world,” he said.
He added that SAC would continue giving its support to provide funding for any non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or longhouse village and development and securities committee (JKKK) in organising traditional arts and culture events. ― DayakDaily
