Pan Borneo tug-of-war championship returns to Limbang this November

MIRI (Sept 25): The iconic Pan Borneo Tug of War Championship will be back in Limbang this November and is expected to receive overwhelming response from participants and spectators.

Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Sarawak Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman says about 50 teams from Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei, Labuan and Peninsular Malaysia are expected to participate.

“It has become an iconic event for Limbang, and is offering attractive prizes. There will also be the ‘Strongest Team in Borneo’ title, bringing with it bragging rights to the champion,” he said at the opening ceremony for the Limbang/Lawas 2024 Closed Tug of War Tournament at the Limbang District Council field recently.

The past championships had attracted teams from Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan and Brunei, which Dr Abdul Rahman said had made the event a tourism draw in Limbang.

“Actually, the people of Limbang and Lawas are renowned for their strength even to this present day; hence, the legacy of our tug-of-war competition.”

Also present at the event were Limbang District officer Sulaiman Engal, and Limbang District Council chairman Sufian Mohat who also led the Limbang Tug of War Association (PTTBL).

Eighteen teams from Limbang and Lawas took part in the latest edition, including three women’s teams.

This sport is also known as ‘Tarik Kalat’ in the local lingo.

Dr Abdul Rahman, the assemblyman for Bukit Kota, also said this tournament served as a warm-up for the International Tug-of-War Championship, to be held at the end of November this year.