Antara News, Friday, May 7, 2010 13:46 WIB
Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA News) - At least 16 provinces have expressed readiness to participate in a National Sailing Championship 2010 in Maluku from July 20 - August 2 this year.
"Some 16 provinces have registered to take part in the event," local Indonesia Sailing Federation (Porlasi) spokesperson Hellen de Lima said here on Friday.
She said the provinces which had registered to participate in the event were among others Aceh, East Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, Southeast Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, East Java, and Jakarta.
According to Hellen, all kinds of competition in the National Sailing Championship would be conducted in Baguala Bay in Ambon`s Baguala subdistrict where a similar event also took place in 2006.
Based on a research and evaluation conducted by Porlasi, Baguala Bay was an appropriate venue for sailing and other water sports competitions because of its strategic location and favorable wind conditions.
"In addition, the local communities on the coasts of the bay will be able to witness the sailing competition from close by," Hellen said.
She said Porlasi was at present coordinating with the Indonesian Navy to borrow a ship to transport the sailing equipment of the competition participants from their respective provinces to Ambon.
"We are coordinating with the Navy chief of staff to get hold of a warship to transport the sailing equipment and other gear of the participants from their respective provinces to Ambon," Hellen said.
She said Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu had asked Porlasi to conduct the National Sailing Championship in Baguala Bay in Ambon in conjunction with the upcoming international marine event of Sail Banda 2010 scheduled from June 12 - August 17 this year.
Therefore, Hellen expressed hope that all elements of the public in the province would support the event and make it a success.
"The people of Ambon in particular and Maluku in general are expected to be good hosts by showing their hospitality to the participants of the event," she said.
