Nanta: Kapit remains a strategic venue for water sports

KAPIT (July 16): Kapit district, sited along among the widest parts of Rajang River, remains a highly strategic venue to hold water sports and other river-based events, said its MP Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

In pointing this out, the Works Minister hailed this geographical feature as a key contributing factor to the success of the iconic annual Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari, which had grown from a small event back in 1996 to a grand international meet today, even including a powerboat racing category.

“Kapit is now well-known for water sports and now with powerboat racing, it attracts participants from near and far.

“I understand that for this year, there are over 100 entries for the speedboat race, representing participants not only from Kapit and the nearby Song, but also from Belaga, Kanowit, Bintangor, Mukah, Dalat, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri, and also Brunei.

“The experience of watching a speedboat competition in the middle of the Batang Rajang is indeed different from any other events,” he said in his speech at the closing and prize-giving ceremonies for the 27thAnnual Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari at the waterfront here on Sunday.

“This and the whole raft safari are among Kapit’s unique eco-tourism products, and I hope water sports can continue to attract higher participation in the future, and also promote Kapit as a chosen destination for CAN (culture, adventure and nature) tourism.”

Adding on, Nanta was also encouraged in seeing how the event benefitted other industries here such as food and beverage, transport, hospitality and also handicrafts.

The three-day Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari 2024 kicked off last Friday.

Organised by Kapit Resident’s Office, the event also involved collaboration with Kapit Tourism Task Group and various governmental and non-governmental organisations, with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, and Ministry of Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development.

The signature event, the raft safari, involved over 60km of riverine journey, with the starting point at Rumah Bajai in Nanga Kain, and the finish line at Kapit Express Boat Terminal.

The categories were Men and Women’s Open Bamboo Raft, Men and Women’s Open Kayak, Mixed Paddle Boat, and Best Decorated Raft.

Each winning team in the Bamboo Raft, Mixed Paddle Boat, Kayak and Best Decorated Raft, received RM6,000, RM4,000, RM1,000 and RM2,000, respectively.

There were also prizes for the first and second runners-up, and consolation prizes for those finishing in fourth to 10th places.

In the Men’s Bamboo Raft category, PBB Sarawak No. 134 secured top place after recording a time of 4:27.10. The runners-up were Team Digital Ministry No. 141 and Kut Muara No. 131, which clocked 4:27.32 and 4:45.54, respectively.

The women’s open champion was Biro Wanita Rumah Ukau No. 222 which registered a time of 5:24.59, while runners-up APM Kapit No. 221 and RANDO Kapit No. 224 reached Kapit Express Boat Terminal in 5:32.19 and 5.36.02, respectively.

In Men’s Paddle Boat, Team Digital Ministry No. 406 was adjudged the champion after clocking 3:09.09 hours, while LANDAS Kapit No. 409 with time of 3:24.03 and PDRM Kapit No. 407 with time of 3:38.15 finished the respective runners-up.

SK Nanga Oyan took home the ‘Best Decorated Raft’ title, with RANDO Kapit and Song Cops in second and third respectively.

Apart from Nanta, Deputy Digital Minister Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang, Baleh assemblyman Nicholas Kudi Jantai and Kapit Resident Galong Luang also presented the prizes.