Bernama win inaugural MOTOUR-Kawat Monsoon Cup Explore Race 2010

by Monsoon Cup 2010 Media on 3 Dec 2010 Bernama won the inaugural MOTOUR-Kawat Monsoon Cup Explore Race 2010 at the five-star Ri-Yaz Heritage Marina Resort and Spa today.

The Explore Race, the brain child of Director of Ministry of Tourism Terengganu Office Ahmad Fathil Abdul Ghani and the Terengganu Journalists Association (Kawat), was one of the many side events organised to attract the public to the Monsoon Cup, the season-ending race of the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT).

Seven teams of four – Bernama, Utusan Malaysia, Media Prima/TV3, Sinar Harian, NSTP, Kawat and Kawat Pak Apil – competed in the event which required the teams to complete eight tasks and answer 16 cryptic clues regarding the Monsoon Cup.

Among the tasks the teams had to compete in were traditional dancing, archery, paintball, catching eels and going to the wincing station – five of the many side events which are being held around the resort.

The teams were given 90 minutes to complete as many of the tasks as possible and at the end of the session, team Bernama comprising Mohd Haidar Ali, Arjasneh Ahmad, Riduan Rizal Ahmad, Nur Fazlizai Ali@Omar amassed 83 points to place first. Kawat Pak Apil was second on 77 points while Media Prima/TV3 were just a point behind in third place.

Fathil said the Explore Race will become an annual affair and may include foreign media from next year.

“The organisers have developed varied programmes each year to ensure both sailing and non-sailing fans are entertained. This year, we asked them if we could include an Explore Race,” said Fathil.

“We get over 300 media each year and I think it will be a good idea to include the foreign media as it will help highlight some of the side events which are happening around the venue. I’m happy the media had a good time.”

Bernama team leader, Fazlizai said: “The race was a lot of fun and I got to see many of the side events happening around the resort. I never expected to be performing a traditional dance or catching eels during the Monsoon Cup.

“It gives me more ideas on what to report on instead of just concentrating on the races.”

Results
1. Bernama 83 points,
2. Kawat Pak Apil 77 points,
3. Media Prima/TV3 76,
4. Utusan 74 points,
5. NSTP 67 points,
6. Sinar Harian 56 points,
7. Kawat 33 points

Special prizes
Best Dressed Team: Sinar Harian
Happiest Team: Kawat
Team who were most afraid of the eels: Media Prima/TV3