KAPIT: The organising committee is calling for entries throughout the state, including neighbouring country Brunei and Thailand, to take part in the Kapit Powerboat Competition to be held from Oct 5-6 at Kapit riverfront.

The competition is one of the activities held to coincide with Sarawak’s Golden Jubilee Independence anniversary within Malaysia, organised by Kapit Division Powerboat Association (KADPA) in collaboration with the Youth and Sports Department of Kapit.

The two-day competition involves four categories, namely 6.5 hp Pump Engine, 18 hp Tunnel Boat and below, 30 hp Tunnel Boat and below and 50 hp Tunnel Boat Open.

The first day (Oct 5) will see Race One for 6.5 hp Pump Engine (4 laps), three heats for 18hp Tunnel Boats (6 laps) and below and 30 hp Tunnel Boat and below (8 laps) respectively and two heats for 50 hp Tunnel Boat Open (10 laps), with the top three winners in the heats eligible to enter the final race on Day Two.

On Oct 6 is Race Two (final) for 6.5 hp Pump Engine for the Datuk Kenneth Kanyan Challenge Trophy, finals for 18 hp Tunnel Boat and below to vie for Wilson Ugak Kumbong Challenge Trophy, 30 hp Tunnel Boat and below to vie for Datuk Alexander Challenge Trophy and 50 hp Tunnel Boat Open to compete for Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing Challenge Trophy.

Chairing the committee meeting here recently, KADPA chairman Koh Kumbong was hopeful to receive the participation of overseas teams like Brunei and Thailand to make for keener competition. “We are expecting participation from the other divisions such as Limbang, Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, Kanowit and other districts alongside local teams” said Koh who is also assistant director of Information Department Kapit.

Koh also disclosed that the organising committee will be giving cash prizes for the 6.5 hp Pump Engine Race One and Two, including the winners for the heats of the three categories (18 hp, 30 hp and 50 hp) whereby the amount will be decided later.

“For the finals involving challenge trophies, we have very attractive prizes sponsored. For 6.5 hp final to vie for Datuk Kenneth Kanyan Challenge Trophy, the top three winners will receive RM280, RM250 and RM200,” he said.

“The 18 hp Tunnel Boat and Below final winners will bring home Wilson Ugak Kumbong Challenge Trophy and cash prizes of RM1,000, RM700 and RM400. In the 30 hp Tunnel Boat and Below final race, the winner will lift the Datuk Alexander NantaLinggi Challenge Trophy and cash prizes of RM1,100, RM800 and RM500. The final race for 50 hp Tunnel Boat Open offers Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James JemutMasing Challenge Trophy and cash prizes of RM1,200, RM900 and RM600,” he said.

Present at the meeting were joint chairman Jack Janda Pioh who is also Youth and Sports officer Kapit, KADPA secretary Philip Jalak, treasurer Jacob Baling, representatives from some nine government agencies including Kapit District Council, Rela, Fire and Rescue Department, Health Department, Police, Sarawak Rivers Board, Information Department and Youth and Sports Department and KADPA members.