KUCHING, Nov 29: The Sarawak government will continue to encourage and support the organising of more international sports events locally to promote the State as a sports tourism destination.
At the same time, it would also act as a platform for local talents to gain exposure, said Sarawak Golf Association (SGA) in a press release today.
Through the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP), the State government supported many international sports events organised in various divisions, which had positive impact, including wooing foreign and domestic tourists to Sarawak.
During the welcoming dinner for participants in the ongoing Sarawak Premier Cup 22nd Sarawak International Junior Golf Championship 2022 in Miri on Nov 28, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg encouraged local organisers of sporting events to continue their good work and to play their role in boosting the State’s sports tourism sector.
His speech text was read out by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Sebastian Ting.
Meanwhile, in his welcoming speech, SGA president Hoan Kee Hock expressed gratitude to the Sarawak government for supporting the junior golfing event which has entered its 22nd edition and received a good response despite being forced to take a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Hoan, the event aims to provide a good avenue for participants to compete with their peer groups and gain good exposure. The association is hoping for the State government to continue supporting the event as one of the well-known junior golf tournaments in the region.
A total of 58 boys and 46 girls from eight countries, including host Malaysia, are competing in this year’s event, organised by SGA and sanctioned by Malaysia Golf Association (MGA) and the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR). It is being held at Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club from Nov 29-Dec 1.
The participants for this year’s event are from Pakistan, India, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Chinese Taipei, Singapore, Indonesia, and Brunei, while juniors from Sabah and Sarawak represent the host Malaysia. Malaysia Ladies Golf Association (Malga) also nominated four of their juniors to compete in Girls’ Special, A and C categories in the three-day event.
This year’s event is open to local and international junior amateur golfers competing in four different categories, namely category A (aged 15 to 17), B (aged 13 to 14), C (aged 12 and under) and Special Category (18 to 21-years-old). — DayakDaily
