Bigger participation in Kiulu 4M Challenge
KOTA KINABALU: The Kiulu 4M Challenge 2008, organised by Sabah Tourism Board this weekend, has received very encouraging response following the high increase in participation.As of yesterday, a total of 214 contestants have confirmed their participation in the annual challenge compared to the 126 participants last year.Organising chairman Ariffin Gadait, at a press conference yesterday said they will be competing in eight events in the singles and team categories that starts at Kg Malangang at 8.40am.Tuaran MP, Datuk Wilfred Bumburing will officiate at the opening ceremony. "The singles category comprises the Junior Open, Women Open and the Xtreme 5M Men Open, while the team category will involve the Mixed Open, 5M Open, Media, Travel Industry, and Corporate and Government," he said.
Ariffin said the 4M challenge is an indigenous, adventurous and thrilling eco-sports tourism event of survival skills, teamwork and traditional sports.
The 4M are four disciplines that participants have to go through in the event. They include Manangkus (running), Mamangkar (bamboo rafting), Manampatau (body rafting with a bamboo pole) and Mamarampanau (bamboo stilts walking/running).
The objectives are to create a "love nature" culture, to enhance indigenous eco-sports tourism, to popularise Kiulu as a prime tourist destination in Sabah, and to create opportunities for active native and local participation in the tourism industry.
Since it was launched on Dec 6, 1998 - but only officially recognised as a state tourism event in 2000 in conjunction with the Visit Sabah Year 2000 and also one of the highlights in the Visit Malaysia Year - the Kiulu 4M Challenge had made great impacts and contributed vastly in the local tourism industry, Ariffin said.
He said it made Kiulu popular as a tourist destination for white water rafting and increased river conservation awareness, notably the revival of the bombon/tagal system (river fish breeding conservation/fishing prohibition) along Kiulu rivers.
"It has also contributed to the encouraging increase in the local participation and involvement in the tourism industry, especially in the provision of rafting equipments and rafting guide services, camping and jungle trekking activities and establishment of homestay programme," he said.
Apart from the 4M events, Ariffin said there will also be a few supporting activities such as the elephant exhibition and ride, Luguan Mamangkar 4M (king of rafting) and an open market. Winners in the challenge will receive cash prizes and medals. Each participant will also receive a certificate of participation.
Among others involved in the competition is the Sabah Journalist Association (SJA).
(Source: New Sabah Times, 04 Dec 2008)
