BETONG: The three-day 2nd Ulu Paku Mountain Bike Race was a crowd puller and Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah is grinning from ear to ear.
Uggah has every reason to be happy — his longhouse, Rumah Francis Nyanggau in Penom, was the race centre and that meant the success of the event reflected on his people, meaning his family members, friends and relatives.
Held from Thursday until last Saturday night, folks of Rumah Francis Nyanggau were hosting not only the cyclists but visitors from far and near who had come to enjoy the celebration of sorts.
“My longhouse folks who helped in the organising have learned much for the experience.
“The more enterprising ones operated homestay programmes for the visitors besides operating food stalls and selling local handicrafts,” he said at the closing of the race on Saturday night.
He said by organising cultural activities and competitions, the longhouse folks helped to preserve and promote the Ngajat, Betaboh, Begendang and traditional cuisine.
“We hope to bring in more activities next year. I am thinking seriously of holding an agricultural exhibition.
“We want to introduce modern farming methods and show its superior advantages to the people,” the Agriculture Modernisation, Native Land and Regional Development Minister said.
The race attracted 90 Malaysian cyclists. The Men Open category was won by Muaz Abd Rahim while the Veteran event was won by Mohd Zukri Tahir. Both cyclists are from Kuala Lumpur.
Local cyclists Eason Chong Kai Ceng, won the Junior category, while Tay Choon Lian won the Sarawak Closed category.
The Betong Closed was won by Andrew Bilong from Spaoh.
Uggah, who was accompanied by his wife Datin Amar Doreen and the Resident Betong Division Friday Belik, later presented prizes to the winners of the race and lucky draw which offered two motorcycles as grand prize.
