A Hong Kong participant (right) sharing his thoughts on the event with Liew (left).
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew hosted a welcoming dinner for participants of the Asia Triathlon Cup Kota Kinabalu and KKCity Multisport Challenge 2023 at Shangri-La Tanjung Aru here last night.
The participants are from 12 countries, namely Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Hong Kong (China), Guam, Philippines, Taiwan, Egypt, Mauritius, Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry (KePKAS) is one of the principal sponsors of the Asia Triathlon Cup Kota Kinabalu and KKCity Multisport Challenge 2023 from November 9 to 12, rated as a sports tourism event.
Some 42 men and 21 women elite athletes (or professional athletes) competing in the Asia Triathlon Cup segment are from Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Hong Kong, Guam, Philippines, Taipei, Egypt, Singapore, Mauritius and Malaysia. In addition, there are 220 participants in the Triathlon Age Group Category from Brunei, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
The Minister said the recent appointment of XMultisport Event as the organiser of the prestigious Asia Triathlon Cup by the Malaysia Triathlon Association, sanctioned by World Triathlon, has further solidified Sabah’s position on the global sporting map.
“Welcome to Sabah! Tonight we celebrate the much-anticipated return of the Asia Triathlon Cup to the beautiful state of Sabah after 22 years.
“Sabah’s wholehearted embrace of this esteemed event exemplifies our region’s growing prominence in the world of triathlon and sports tourism.
“Do spend a few more days in Sabah to feel the warmth of the local people and explore our tourist hotspots,” Liew said in her address.
Race Director Auther Komon, who thanked all the sponsors, said: “With the unwavering support of each one of you, we, Malaysia Triathlon Association and XMultisport Event, plan to bring the Asia Triathlon Cup to Kota Kinabalu on a grander scale next year. Hopefully, we can host a World Cup with the support of the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry.”
Also present were KePKAS Permanent Secretary Datuk Sr. Mohd Yusrie Abdullah, Sabah Tourism Board (STB) Deputy CEO Julinus Jeffrey Jimit representing the CEO Noredah Othman, Malaysia Triathlon Association President Tony Tan and XMultisport Event Manager Ahmad Syuaib Nasir.
