KUCHING: Sarawak hopes to move forward with the trend in motorsports events to boost the tourism market, said Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development 1 Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu.
“The motorsports industry must take the opportunity to organise more races to attract participants from nearby countries like Kalimantan, Indonesia; Brunei and Singapore, and also from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Labuan,” he said.
Rentap said this at the official flag handing over ceremony at Feast and Furious Cafe in Padungan on Yesterday (July 16).
He added that all motorsports races must be properly organised with an emphasis on maintaining safety for the drivers and spectators.
“The official registration of Sarawak Motorsports Association (SMA) with Sports Commissioner Office of Malaysia and affiliation to Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) will in a way maintain a high standard of organised motorsports events in Sarawak,” he said.
He said the Motorsports Association of Malaysia has appointed Sarawak Motorsports Association as the sole and main governing body to regulate motorsports in Sarawak.
“With Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim as president of Sarawak Motorsports Association, motorsports industry will be properly taken care of as the association will work closely to oversee the sanctioning and commissioning of those motorsports events.
“This is to ensure that they are recognised, accredited, insured and properly managed under relevant international racing competition guidelines,’ he added.
Rentap also took time to congratulate the young Sarawakian rally drivers Elmyn Michael and Cameron Kechendai James for being pre-selected participants and already secured their places for FIA Rally Star in Madras, India.
He also mentioned that it was to his knowledge that LD Motorsports Club is collaborating with D-ONE Motorsports Club in cultivating motorsports events in Sarawak.
“Both clubs will work together in the area of official’s safety training for motorsports volunteers and officials other than organising motorsports events together.
“It is hoped that this collaboration will be an example to other motorsports clubs in organising events and where knowledge is shared. This in a way will create and bolster smart partnership in the motorsports industry in Sarawak,” said Rentap.
Meanwhile Ahmad, who was also in attendance, pointed out that SMA was committed towards the development of motorsports, both locally and in the region.
Adding further, he said that there are many young talents like Elymyn and Cameron in Sarawak.
“It is our responsibility together with the government and other relevant agencies and organisations to look into developing them into motor racing champions.
“I am very hopeful that we will continue to take the lead in the development of such talents,” he disclosed.
Also present at the officiating handover ceremony was Dr Mohd Shafiq Abdullah, deputy president of D-One Motorsports Club and Alan Kon, president of LD Motorsports Club.
