LANGKAWI — How does hosting a sporting event in our country benefit the general public, especially those not directly involved?
Le Tour de Langkawi, now in its 28th edition, has demonstrated that this prestigious cycling race is not only eagerly anticipated by cycling enthusiasts worldwide but also highly sought after by every state and district in Malaysia, all aiming to be part of the race route each year.
Speaking to Scoop, Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) CEO, Emir Abdul Jalil, explained that hosting the race has led to road repairs and upgrades across multiple districts in Malaysia, even those indirectly connected to the event.
As the organiser, he is tasked with providing race routes that are both safe and comfortable for all cyclists, adhering to the standards set by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
At the same time, Emir also understands that these routes will be broadcast to a global audience during the event, thus showcasing Malaysia’s reputation as an exceptional host of international events.
He expressed gratitude for the cooperation of local authorities and relevant agencies, which have worked to ensure roads are in optimal condition throughout the race.
For instance, ahead of Sunday’s first stage in Langkawi, his team was informed that certain areas, such as Teluk Yu, were not in the best condition. However, an inspection on Thursday revealed that the roads had been resurfaced and are now fully ready for the race.
“In all these years I have been working behind the scenes to organise LTdL, I have found it relatively easy to engage local authorities and persuade them to ensure the roads are in excellent condition.
“The districts involved understand the significance of tourism and the opportunities that come with it. This event allows them to showcase their areas to a global audience.
“For instance, districts like Kulai, Miri, and Bintulu are putting in tremendous effort to prepare for LTdL, particularly since they have not had a chance like this before.
“If they wish to invest in promoting their regions, purchasing airtime for international broadcasts can be costly, potentially reaching into the millions.
“However, with LTdL offering over five hours of daily race coverage to highlight their districts, it serves as the best alternative to introducing their areas to the world. Once the event concludes, the local communities will also benefit from the road improvements made as a result of hosting LTdL,” said Emir.
However, not all roads are suitable as race routes, especially at the start and finish locations.
Additionally, LTdL has been reduced to eight stages in recent years, compared to the 12 stages it once featured.
As a result, organisers are more meticulous in selecting the best routes, leaving out some areas previously part of the course.
“Although the duration of the race is not as long as it once was, we still take pride in the fact that not many cycling tours in Asia can host up to eight stages.
“We have successfully secured this from the UCI due to the race’s status as one of the oldest in Asia and its rich history.
“Regarding the selection of race routes, I can confidently say that my team requires three months to plan and identify the best routes. Our primary goal is to ensure that these routes connect various districts while also providing a challenging experience for the cyclists,” he added.
For this year’s edition, 132 cyclists will cover 1,190km across 10 states, including Sarawak.
However, the race will primarily focus on the west coast of the peninsula and will not extend to the east coast, such as Terengganu and Kelantan. — September 28, 2024