Second installment of Kuantan Century

All set: Mohd Sharkar (second from right), Idros (second from left) and Ishak (extreme right) showing the cyclists jerseys to be worn in the coming Kuantan Century Ride.

KUANTAN: Up to 1,839 cyclists, both local and international, will be taking part in the 160km Kuantan Century Ride on June 2.

State Culture and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin said the ride, which was in its second consecutive year would comprise both professional and amateur riders.

“They are either cyclists who will make the ride as their endurance test or take it as a family outing,” he said after launching the Kuantan CenturyRide 2013 here recently.

He said 534 of them were cyclists from Italy, Holland, Hong Kong, South Korea, Indonesia and China. Singaporeans make up the most number with 432 cyclists. Some 1,305 of them are locals from all over the country with 389 cyclists from Selangor.

“Cycling has become a tourist attraction in Pahang with several events organised and more to be held in the near future. The thousands of them visiting Pahang will definitely contribute to an economic spillover in the state as they will be spending on accommodation, food and other neccessities.

“The benefits that we will gain would not end just like that because they will return to the state in their following visits not only for cycling activities as Pahang has many other attractions for holiday makers,” Mohd Sharkar said.

Also present were Tourism & Culture Ministry Office general manager Idros Yahya and State Tourism Agency Bukit Fraser Development Corporation deputy manager Ishak Mokhtar.

Mohd Sharkar, who was recently appointed as the Culture and Tourism Committee chairman said despite reaching the middle of the year, he was optimistic of meeting the target of 10.5 million tourist arrivals in Pahang. He said this was because Pahang is a peaceful and harmonious state and the government had been emphasing on continuous development to benefit the people at all levels.

He also said that after the general election, Pahang was looking forward to becoming a prosperous state and since the tourism industry was the second biggest source of state revenue, the government is committed to provide further facilities for the industry to continue developing.

“There will be further additional attractions in the tourism aspect apart from the present ones. Our education facilities of international standard for example has been contributing much to the continuous visit by foreigners while at the same time we will provide for the betterment of the products available,” he said.

During the ceremony, Mohd Sharkar also received sponsorships from more than 10 companies to support the cycling event.

-thestar online.