The Star - Good Use of KL's Natural Resources

DBKL hopes to pull more tourists to city with more sports and recreational shows

There will be more sports and recreational activities of international standard organised in Kuala Lumpur as part of efforts to attract more tourists to the city.

Mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib said Kuala Lumpur had many natural resources that could be utilised for various purposes, including air and water sports.

"The Air and Water Show Festival 2013 is one such event that has drawn thousands of locals and tourists," he said.

Ahmad Phesal added that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) would support more extreme sports events that help to promote the city, especially at international level.

DBKL co-organised the Air and Water Show Festival 2013 in conjunction with the 107th World Air Sports Federation general conference held recently.

A total of 200 delegates from 50 countries attended the conference. Thousands showed up to watch the para-motor, helicopter and parachute shows at the Metropolitan Lake Park in Kepong. More than 200 participants from Brunei, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Australia took part in the Remote-Control Powerboat Competition, while 25 boats from Malaysia, Singapore, China, Australia and Belarus competed in the F3000 Powerboat Race.

Tony Chew from Kota Tinggi, Johor, won the grand prize of RM10,000 and a trophy in the F3000 Powerboat Race.

On the festival, he said many aspects, such as technical matters and quality of boats, had improved compared to last year's event. Later, Ahmad Phesal announced that DBKL also would be hosting the World Strong Man Championship from Nov 20 to 23 at Dataran Merdeka.