KUCHING: Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan is hoping events like The Great Rimba Zumbathon (TGRZ) will be able to help more charitable bodies in the future.

He said he is pleased to note that the organisers of TGRZ has pledged to donate a percentage of ticket sales to a charity group helping underprivileged indigenous people in rural parts of Sarawak.

“It is a good way of giving back to society. This time, non-governmental organisation Helping Hand Penan will benefit from this TGRZ event as RM2 from each participation fee will go the group,” he told a press conference on the event, here yesterday.

Snowdan also expressed his hope for future editions of TGRZ as the funds raised by the organisers would benefit other charitable bodies.

“I would also suggest the organisers hold future editions of TGRZ in other parts of Sarawak, apart from Kuching,” he added.

The TGRZ here will be held at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) headquarters on Aug 10.

The event is being held in conjunction with International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, which is observed on Aug 9 each year.

With a rainforest-themed zumba, the event is expected to receive more than 300 participants, with other activities such as free health screenings, breast and cervical cancer counselling, nutrition and dietary guidance, and a food bazaar also being lined up.

Those interested in participating can email Place Borneo CEO Mona Manap at mona@placeborneo.com, or visit rimbazumbathon.com.

Also present at the press conference were DBNA representative Jane Dripin, and Catherine Chong who represented Exhilarate Fitness Studio, TGRZ’s official studio partner.