BETONG: A total of 28 participants from across Sarawak have confirmed their participation in the Kumang Gawai Betong 2023 beauty pageant for the title and a cash prize of RM10,000 that comes with it.
Organising committee chairman Ujai Sambau said that the prize money offered this year is bigger.
Last year, a project engineer named Ullia Ulanda Rumpang was crowned as Kumang Gawai and won a cash prize of RM5,000.
“Therefore, for this year, the main committee is offering a bigger cash prize of RM10,000, along with other supplementary prizes.
“Meanwhile, the Lulong Gawai and Selinggar Marahari Gawai winners will each receive cash prizes of RM8,000 and RM6,000 respectively, along with other supplementary prizes.
“Thankfully, we have received very encouraging participation from 28 contestants, who come from Kuching, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Sibu, Bintulu, Limbang, Miri, and even Saratok and Betong themselves,” he told the New Sarawak Tribune yesterday.
Ujai explained that the contestants, who are aged between 19 and 28 years, will compete in the preliminary and semi-final rounds this Saturday.
“What can be revealed is that some of them have been actively participating in beauty pageants all this while. Some are still university students while others are already working.
“Therefore, with only a few days left before the competition, I believe many are guessing who the lucky one will be.
“Anything can happen, but I hope that all the contestants will prepare themselves from all aspects, not just their beauty and attire, but also other qualities that are specified by the professional judges,” he said.
Ujai said that Betong had never missed organising the prestigious competition except for 2020 and 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Therefore, we are definitely looking forward to the auspicious date of May 20 to witness the final round of the Kumang Gawai Betong 2023 competition, which will be held at the Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan Sports Hall,” he said.
The organisers are also offering the Pemanah Ngepan Award and consolation prizes, each of which comes with a cash prize of RM1,500.
For the record, the Kumang Gawai Betong 2019 title was won by a private company administrative executive, Mary Queen Ambrose Karim.
