KOTA SAMARAHAN: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) will host an inaugural Unimas International Regatta 2019 at its Tasik Unimas here on Oct 19-20.
A total of 12 categories will be competed namely IPT men’s dragon boat (12 rowers), IPT mixed dragon boat (12 rowers — 8 men and 4 women), 200m men’s singles kayak, 200m women’s singles kayak, 200m men’s relay kayak, 200m women’s relay kayak, 200m mixed relay kayak, 500m men’s singles kayak; 500m women’s singles kayak, 500m men’s relay kayak, 500m women’s relay kayak and 500m mixed relay kayak. Organising chairman Prof Dr Azhaili Baharun said six public higher learning institutions (IPTA) and foreign higher learning institutions as well as several invited teams have confirmed participation in the NGO and school category of the kayak competition.
Four universities, namely Universiti Brunei Darussalam (Brunei), Universiti Tanjung Pura (Indonesia), Unimas and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak will be competing in the dragon boat race.
The open kayak category will see competition between Unimas, UiTM Sarawak, Universiti Malaysia Sabah Kampus Labuan (UMSKAL), Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) and individuals. Several teams are already undergoing vigorous training at Tasik Unimas in preparation for the competition.
“We hope the hosting of this inaugural event will attract more participation from both local and foreign universities and members of the public to participate in future competitions and also to use the water sport facilities available at the Boat House of Unimas Sports Centre here, said Azhaili.
Unimas team manager Ealfy Graggory Dullie said Unimas dragon boat and kayak teams are under the guidance of coach Hamdan Mohamad, a former international kayak athlete under SEA Games 2001, 2013 and 2015. Unimas vice chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi is expected to officiate at the closing and prize presentation of the event.
