Chennai cyclists with Julinus (ninth right), Hishamuddin (10th right) and Haryanty Abu Bakar (ninth left) at STB building ahead of the Ride Sabah North Borneo Cycling FAM Tour.
KOTA KINABALU: Cyclists from Chennai, India began their Sabah journey today, exploring the state on two wheels as part of the Ride Sabah North Borneo Cycling FAM Tour.
The six days and five nights familiarisation tour is led by Tourism Malaysia–Chennai and involves participants from the Chennai Cycling Association.
The ride officially commenced in the state capital, with cyclists flagged off from the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) building by its CEO Julinus Jeffery Jimit.
Also present at the flag-off were Tourism Malaysia-Chennai Director Hishamuddin Mustafa and Tourism Malaysia Sabah Director Haryanty Abu Bakar.
The tour, with the theme “Sabah Cycling Paradise, Malaysia Truly Asia”, covers key destinations including Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, Kudat, Kundasang and Tamparuli, offering participants a mix of coastal scenery, highlands and cultural towns.
The initiative features collaboration with Royal Brunei Airlines, supporting the participation of influential delegates and cycling influencers from India.
The tour is part of STB’s strategic efforts to enhance the state’s presence in the Indian market and attract more visitors.
STB is also set to participate in the Outbound Travel Mart 2026 in Mumbai next week, where the Ride Sabah North Borneo Cycling Tour is scheduled for launch.
The initiative contributes to the Board’s ongoing efforts to promote Sabah as a premier cycling and ecotourism destination for the Indian market, in support of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and Visit Sabah 2027.
