Ting (third left) receives a souvenir from Bangladesh Golf Federation president General Waker-Uz-Zaman who was represented by the federation’s team manager Kader Mahmood (second left) as (from right) Law, Hoan, Mohd Anwar and Gan look on.
MIRI (July 15): Sarawak is leveraging golf as a key driver of sports tourism as the state welcomes young talents from across Asia for the 23rd Sarawak Premier Cup Sarawak International Junior Golf Championship in Miri, said Datuk Sebastian Ting.
The Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts added that the tournament not only provides a platform to nurture future golfing champions but also strengthens Sarawak’s position as a premier destination for sports tourism.
An avid golfer and former captain of both Miri Golf Club and Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club, he described golf as a sport that fosters friendship, discipline and lifelong relationships.
“Golf is a wonderful game. Whether you play well or badly, you always want to come back and play again. It creates fellowship because you spend four or five hours together on the course, enjoying the game,” he remarked in his welcoming address at the tournament’s opening ceremony on Monday evening at Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club.
He was representing Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at the event.
Ting welcomed participants from 10 countries, noting that this year’s edition has attracted a stronger international field than when Miri first hosted the championship in 2022.
“We are very happy to welcome all of you to Miri. For many of you, this may be your first visit, and we hope you will come back again,” he said.
Ting highlighted Miri’s growing stature as a golfing destination, pointing out that the city will also host the Sarawak Amateur Open in October and the prestigious Malaysian Amateur Open in December.
Ting expressed appreciation to the Malaysian Golf Association for bringing the national championship to Miri, saying it reflected confidence in Sarawak’s ability to host major golf events.
He said the Sarawak government fully supports sports tourism as part of its Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, with tourism identified as one of the state’s key economic pillars.
“Golf is one of the sports that naturally promotes tourism because golfers travel to different destinations to play. Sports tourism is therefore very important for Sarawak,” he stressed.
Addressing the junior golfers, Ting urged them to build lasting friendships through the event.
“Although you compete against one another, after several rounds you become good friends. Stay in touch because these friendships can last for many years,” he said.
Ting also invited the visiting golfers and officials to experience Miri’s hospitality, local cuisine and attractions during their stay.
Sarawak Golf Association president Hoan Kee Hock, who is the event organising chairman, said SGA is hoping to organise the championship on a larger scale next year.
“We are hoping that more countries will send their top juniors here for the 24th edition and we welcome all, be it 100 players or 200 players.
“Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club is able to cater to more participants and SGA is enjoying a close working partnership with the club,” he added.
Also present were Malaysian Golf Association president Admiral (Rtd) Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor and vice president Datuk Marina Gan and Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club president Dato Sri Law Kiu Kiong who is also the club founder and managing director.
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