KUCHING: A total of RM660,000 worth of sponsorships have been received for the Sarawak Regatta 2018 here yesterday.
The sponsorships were contributed by Petronas Wilayah Sarawak (RM500,000), Petra Energy Berhad (RM100,000), and RM30,000 each from Cahya Mata Sarawak (CMS) and Ta Ann Holdings Berhad.
Minister for Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah was present to receive the sponsorships at Masja Building in Petra Jaya here yesterday.
According to Karim, a total of about RM1 million has been received from contributors.
The Sarawak Regatta 2018 will be held over two weekends from October 26 to November 4.
The first weekend from October 26 to 28 will be the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Race, while the Sarawak Regatta will be held on the second weekend (November 2 to 4).
Karim also said that a total of 12 countries will be participating in the International Dragon Boat Race whereby there will be 30 teams competing in five categories of the race.
Among the participating countries are Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Switzerland, Chinese Taipei, the Philippines, Singapore, Macau, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the Sarawak Regatta will see 310 teams participating in 13 categories and the highlight will be the Raja Sungai race on the final day, November 4.
The International Dragon Boat Race and Sarawak Regatta 2018 will see a total of 978 paddlers.
The Chief Minister is expected to officiate the opening of the International Boat Race and Sarawak Regatta on October 27, while the Head of State will officiate the closing on November 4.
Karim added that the whole two weekends from October 26 to November 4 will be filled with activities to attract the crowds.
“The Sarawak Regatta this time, especially at night, will be livelier as the Musical Fountain will be launched on October 14. It is going to be a grand musical fountain similar to the one in Dubai,” he said.
