THE rhythmic beating of drums and the synchronised rowing of longboats are part of the many reasons why people get excited to go to the annual Sarawak Regatta.
Yet, amid such excitement, a poignant observation emerges – the limited engagement of local youth in this legacy sport.
Deciphering the Disconnect among the Youth
The Sarawak Regatta has weathered the tides of time for over a century, standing as a testament to the region’s maritime prowess and cultural legacy.
Despite its amazing legacy, the lack of local youth participation may cause the sport to fade away in the coming years when the older generation are no longer able to participate in the race.
A wary Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu points to shifting dynamics as having led to a disconnect between the Sarawak Regatta and contemporary youth.
He said with the changing times local youth may have evolved in terms of interests which led them to neglect the watersport.
“Moreover, many young individuals today may not find interest in time consuming outdoor activities conducted under the scorching sun.
“Another aspect of the lack of youth participation is the allure of the rewards or prizes associated with boat racing. For them, it might not resonate with the aspirations and desires of the younger generation.
“That is why, as you can see, the Sarawak Regatta has become more of a hobby and pride game for those who participate,” he said.
With the lack of participation by local youth, he emphasises the necessity to establish a proper governing body for this watersport.
He added that with such establishment, it could organise programmes to encourage youth to participate in regattas.
“Furthermore, such an entity will not only streamline the sport by introducing standardised rules but also attract sponsorship and commercial support.
“This injection of financial and organisational support could transform our boat racing from a sporadic hobby to a sustainable pursuit with clubs, competitive teams and a thriving community.
“And this may just make the sport more appealing to our local youth,” he said.
Peering into the future, Rentap sees the importance of instilling the interest of this sport among local youth.
He stated that while elevating the structure of the sport is a crucial step, ensuring it aligns with the aspirations and preferences of today’s youth is needed too.
However, building interest requires a more holistic approach.
“We may first need to encourage youths to participate in this watersport, be it as part of the organising committee, paddlers or even as volunteers.
“And to encourage them to delve into the sport, the Sarawak Regatta should include events for younger children such as kayaking or canoeing.
“By introducing these accessible and exciting events, the foundation for a burgeoning passion in this watersport may be enhanced,” he said.
Importing Paddlers from Indonesia
As it is evident that the Sarawak Regatta all these years lacked the participation of local youth, these teams have had no other choice but to import rowers from Indonesia.
But why Indonesia specifically?
According to Consul-General of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuching, Raden Sigit Witjaksono, the importing of paddlers from Indonesia may be because of the life culture of these paddlers.
Tracing back, he shared that ‘lomba perahu’ which is known as regatta here had taken place since the 16th century in Indonesia.
He said some provinces such as Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi are naturally talented in the said sport because they are used to living by the riverside where boats are their main transport.
“Boating has become their life’s culture. Since they are little, they might have been brought to boating.
“This little fact may be one of the reasons why they are strong in this watersport – they have been trained to boat since they were little,” he said.
Aside from that, he believed that Indonesia’s sprawling archipelago offers a wealth of natural water bodies, presenting ample opportunities for training and competition.
He said, this accessibility contributes to a larger pool of potential paddlers and enthusiasts.
Also, he said to encourage the paddlers to be active and keep the sport alive, the Indonesian government will often organise regattas starting from the village level to the sub-district, district or city, the province and national level throughout Indonesia.
He stated that the level of competition within a region can significantly shape the calibre of paddlers it produces.
With that, Indonesia’s rich boat racing tradition has cultivated a thriving competitive environment, motivating racers to continually push their limits.
“In sports tournaments, they will usually go up against the 38 provinces that we have. No matter which province is the host of the year, the regatta will usually be held at Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi because of the huge river and the speciality of the sport there.
“That is why, Sarawak will usually import players from these provinces as their expertise as paddlers is greater compared to the other provinces,” he said.
Diplomatic Relationship between Sarawak and Indonesia
Beyond the thrill of competition and the pursuit of victory, boat racing has emerged as a powerful platform for fostering diplomatic relationships.
The cross-border collaboration between Sarawak and Indonesia exemplifies how sports can transcend boundaries, forging connections that extend far beyond the water’s edge.
As Indonesian paddlers are often scouted and imported to join local teams, Raden noted it symbolises a broader commitment to bilateral ties.
The competitions, in this context, become more than just races – they are occasions that foster camaraderie and understanding among those who participate.
“They held are not all about winning and losing. Behind the tournaments, our relationship is bonded even stronger than before, especially among those who are involved in this sport,” he said.
Pointing out that Sarawak shares the closest border in Kalimantan, boat racing in the two areas are similar to one another, hence, it makes it easier for them to participate in the Sarawak Regatta.
“As I said, we cannot just look at winners because as an international level sport, it offers more in the spirit of strengthening the relationship with Sarawak towards Indonesia,” he said.
Moreover, he added that another benefit of this is that with Indonesian paddlers being part of the event, the tourism sector will definitely experience an additional boost.
“The influx of participants and supporters contributes to increased tourism expenditure and this will definitely benefit local businesses.”
Sarawak Regatta as Tourism Heritage
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan stated that as Sarawak Regatta holds a significant meaning for the community here, there is a need for it to be preserved as Sarawak’s tourism heritage.
That is why, he said, his ministry has gazetted the event in its tourism calendar and made it an annual event.
With it being an international level, he said the event creates a ripple effect that touches various sectors of the economy.
“Travel and tour operators experience increased demand as tourists flock to the event, prompting investments in transportation and accommodation.
“Cultural exchanges flourish as visitors engage with local traditions. This surge in consumption spending serves as a powerful stimulant for local economic activities, fostering growth and sustainability,” he said.
In light of this, he stated that the international participation in the Sarawak Regatta has also amplified its impact, casting a spotlight on Sarawak’s cultural richness and maritime heritage.
He added that it can be seen as the event’s global reach continues to expand with an increasing number of countries joining the festivities each year.
As such, looking forward, Snowdan envisions a future where the youth play a pivotal role in the preservation and evolution of the Sarawak Regatta.
Recognising the transformative potential of the event, he highlighted the importance of youth engagement.
“As I see it, it will be more beneficial if our youth could tap into this sport from early beginnings. Participation is one way and commitment and training is another positive engagement.
“Furthermore, by nurturing local talent, Sarawak can gradually reduce its reliance on paddlers from neighbouring countries. This will foster a sense of local pride and accomplishment.
“But in a learning process, the youth can also get involved as volunteers in organising this event to get themselves pumped up and motivate them to be padddlers,” he said.
As the Sarawak Regatta evolves from a historical tradition into a dynamic tourism heritage, its multifaceted impact is undeniable.
By fostering youth involvement, harnessing tourism potential, and embracing international exposure, the Sarawak Regatta not only preserves the past but also holds out the promise of an exciting future filled with cultural pride and economic prosperity.
