KUCHING: The state government welcomes the organising of Petronas Le Tour De Langkawi (LTDL) here yesterday and would continue to host other international sporting events.
State Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the state is fully capable of hosting LTDL and other international sporting events here as it has adequate facilities.
“We are witnessing history here as Sarawak is hosting the first stage of the Petronas Le Tour De Langkawi 2020, one of the biggest cycling events in the world.
“We are very proud to have LTDL here in Malaysia. But this year is especially meaningful for us here as Sabah and Sarawak have been included in the stages of LTDL,” said Abdul Karim during the Le Tour De Langkawi press conference here, yesterday.
He praised the organising team for its ability to properly organise the event here within a short time.
“Even though it is quite challenging in terms of logistics to organise such an event here, I am very impressed that in such a short space of time, the organising team was able to organise an excellent race.
“This is something good that we can learn from in hosting future international events,” he said.
Abdul Karim thanked Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on behalf of the state government and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, saying he was made to understand that it was the prime minister’s idea to include Sabah and Sarawak as part of LTDL stages.
Also present during the press conference were federal Minister of Youth and Sports Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and Youth and Sports Assistant Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan.