PUTRAJAYA, Aug 1 — Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) organiser, the National Sports Council (NSC), has assured state election results will not affect the race route.
Its director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail said the route for the September 23 to 30 race remains unchanged, barring unforeseen circumstances.
“We have recced the route with the Public Works Department and other parties, so there are no changes to the route,” he said after handing over the Jalur Gemilang to the Commonwealth Youth Games contingent at Menara KBS here today.
LTdL 2023 spans 11 states in eight stages, as follows:
Stage 1: Kerteh to Kuala Terengganu (184.4km)
Stage 2: Kuala Terengganu to Kota Bharu (186.2km)
Stage 3: Jeli to Baling (177.1km)
Stage 4: Bukit Mertajam to Meru Raya (140km)
Stage 5: Slim River to Genting Highlands (133.3km)
Stage 6: Karak to Melaka (176.6km)
Stage 7: Muar to Seremban 2 (125.7km)
Stage 8: Setia Alam to Kuala Lumpur (157km)
Shapawi confirmed the prize money has been prepared and will be paid through Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). He said the group is looking for sponsors to supplement a government allocation of RM8 million.
“God willing, we are approaching a few sponsors — big sponsors — and we hope they will be enticed to make LTdL a success, as our aim is to fulfil organisation costs, which is over RM8 million,” he said.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh expressed her relief at UCI’s decision to relist LTdL 2023 on its calendar yesterday, and hopes the move will attract more sponsors.
“We urge interested sponsors to contact the NSC immediately as we don’t have much time. I believe the NSC, with the cooperation of all parties, can make LTdL a success,” she said.
— Bernama
