KUCHING: Over 300 riders took part in the Le Tour de Langkawi 2020 Night Ride last night, with some illuminating their bicycles with lights that attracted attention from passing motorists.
Sarawak Cycling Association president Dato Benjamin Hasbie applauded the organiser for including Sarawak and Sabah in this year’s edition of the Asian premier cycling race.
“Normally there is a main event, which is the race, but this night ride is organised to encourage all locals to come along and becoming spectators for the grand event,” said Benjamin when met by reporters at the night ride’s flag off at Padang Merdeka here last night.
He believed that the event could promote community participation as spectators from all walks of life would gather to support the athletes for the race.
“(Also), I treat this event as a sports tourism. It is not only about sports but for it to bring about tourism, particularly to Sarawak,” he said, adding that Sarawak was last involved in the racing competition 25 years ago.
He thanked cyclists from all over Kuching for taking part in the night ride as the state celebrated the organising of the Le Tour de Langkawi in Sarawak.
The night ride later went through Kuching Waterfront, Jalan Abel, Padungan, Jalan Datuk Ajibah Abol, Jalan Patingan, Jalan Rubber, Jalan Satok, Tun Abdul Rahman Yaakub bridge, Jalan Kulas and Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) office.
Also held in conjunction with the night ride was the ‘My Best Buy’ programme where agricultural products were sold five to 20 per cent cheaper compared to the price at the local market, according to Federal Agricultural and Marketing Authority (Fama) chairman Ishak Ismail.
“The ‘My Best Buy’ programme concept is to bring the goods directly from farms, including agriculture products from upstream and downstream activities, to the consumers straight,” said Ishak when met at the same venue.
Ishak said this initiative would go in a long way to increase the income of agricultural entrepreneurs, up to 30 to 40 per cent more, compared with selling their products through a middle person.
Besides introducing the signature agriculture products of Sarawak, the two-day programme could act as a networking platform for entrepreneurs and sellers.
Moreover, as part of the Le Tour de Langkawi, Ishak shared stall owners participating in the ‘My Best Buy’ programme and participants of the main race donated goodies and products to about 70 beneficiaries from the B40 lower income group.
Malaysianews, 2 February 2020