SARATOK: The highlight of the Roban Food Festival (RFF) this weekend offers a unique attraction with the inaugural Sambas-style boat race.
Kalaka assemblyman Mohamad Duri said that RM5,000 in cash prizes along with a trophy await the winner of the Raja Sungai Seblak title for the 2024 edition.
“This year, we’ve introduced a new twist to the regatta event, featuring only the Bidar 10 boats.
“The Sambas-style boat race format, which pits participants in ‘one-on-one’ matches, is being introduced for the first time in Sarawak’s history of Bidar boat racing. However, this format is already quite popular in Sambas, Indonesia.”
Mohamad said this in response to questions following a briefing with team managers here yesterday.
He explained that the decision to adopt this event format also considered the relatively narrow width of the river.
As such, he warmly welcomed both local and international visitors to enliven the RFF, scheduled to take place in Roban on Dec 14 and 15.
Mohamad added that alongside the regatta, Sungai Seblak will host other activities such as fishing competitions, tug-of-war in boats, karaoke, and various other events during the festival.
Earlier, the race briefing was conducted by the head of the Technical Committee for the Sambas-Style Boat Race, Sungai Seblak, Councillor Kasdi Pandi.
This year, the organisers have also prepared a grand lucky draw prize of a motorcycle.