KOTA KINABALU: After a hiatus of nearly two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a major mountain cycling event took off in Kota Belud, with 160 participants coming from all over Sabah to take part.

       The Fun Ride Mountain Bike (MTB) Challenge was held at the scenic Kampung Kiau Taburi in the western foothills of Mount Kinabalu.

       Themed “The Lost World of Kiau Taburi”, the event was organised by the villagers and supported by the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry as well as Sabah Tourism Board (STB).

       STB deputy general manager Julinus Jimit said the MTB Challenge was a welcome event after the reopening of inter-district borders.

       “Such an event can help promote rural tourism with community participation. Developing rural tourism is one of the goals of the state government and ministry,” he told reporters attending the event’s opening and closing ceremonies.

       He said the ministry and STB would continue to support the event if it was held again, adding that he hoped to see more participants from other states and countries taking part.

       “With international borders set to reopen next year, we must be prepared to welcome participation from other countries in our sporting events.

       “At the same time, I encourage local communities to use sporting events and other tourism activities to promote their handicrafts, and traditional foods and culture, among other things, to make rural tourism more vibrant,” said Julinus who represented STB chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.

       Kampung Kiau Taburi Village Development and Security Committee chief Timothy Sagun said the MTB Challenge was held to promote the village as an ecotourism destination and to revitalise community-based tourism activities.