OKU SELATAN, The Indonesia Post – The Sriwijaya Ranau Gran Fondo event which took place at Lake Ranau, South OKU Regency on Saturday, November 14, 2020, was successfully held. Even though it had to be carried out by implementing strict health protocols due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the participants who took part in the event were still booming.
In fact, the number of participants who took part in the Sriwijaya Ranau Gran Fondo 2020 also drastically increased from the first Sriwijaya Ranau Gran Fondo which was held in 2019.
As it is known, the participants who took part in the bicycle sports event numbered 1,525 people from various regions in Indonesia and from abroad such as the United States.
South Sumatra Governor H Herman Deru together with Deputy for Tourism Products and Organizing Activities Rizki Handayani directly released the goweser.
Herman Deru said, in addition to attracting talented cyclist athletes, Sriwijaya Ranau Gran Fondo was held as an effort to introduce and increase the number of tourist visits in South Sumatra as well as to boost the community’s economy.
“Sriwijaya Ranau Gran Fondo is also intended to further introduce and increase tourism in South Sumatra. This is an initial milestone for the improvement and recovery of the national economy in the midst of the current Covid-19 pandemic,” HD said.
According to him, the impact of Sriwijaya Ranau Gran Fondo is also very large for the community, such as the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) so that the community’s economy increases.
“I see that in this area the people have provided lodging and breakfast for tourists. This is an increase and the creation of new jobs and many people have become tour guides for Lake Ranau,” he explained.
He further said, the South Sumatra Provincial Government also continues to encourage improvements in all sectors including infrastructure in the Lake Ranau area. This is so that tourists are more comfortable visiting the second largest lake in Sumatra after Lake Toba in North Sumatra.
“We do encourage people directly to enjoy the results, but without leaving their professions such as fishermen or farmers. The community must also continue to develop the potential for coffee farming in South OKU which may be used as souvenirs by tourists to bring to their area. We are also ready to guide its development, “he explained.
Meanwhile for Sriwijaya Ranau Gran Fondo, HD ensures that it will be held continuously every year.
“This agenda will be carried out continuously. We hope it will become a national agenda. We will continue to make improvements so that tourists and participants of Sriwijaya Gran Fondo will be more comfortable,” he said.
He also called the Sriwijaya Gran Fondo event as a step to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Besides being able to maintain endurance through cycling, we will also be happy. Happiness is also a way to increase the body’s immunity to fight Covid-19,” he said.
On the other hand, the Deputy for Tourism Products and Activities Organizing Rizki Handayani also admitted that he was amazed by the Sriwijaya Gran Fondo event which was the initiation of the Governor of South Sumatra H Herman Deru. He believes that in the future the Sriwijaya Gran Fondo evant will become the national agenda.
“I myself am proud of this activity. Very extraordinary and so many participants,” he said.
He hopes that tourism in Indonesia will become more global through this Sriwijaya Gran Fondo.
“This is the first step for the revival of our tourism after declining due to the Covid-19 pandemic as well as being able to restore the national economy,” he concluded.
It is known, the Sriwijaya Gran Fondo 2020 event in the two-round road bike category was won by national athlete Jauhari Johan who won first place, second place was occupied by Rian Septiawan and in third place was occupied by Rio Lambudi.
Meanwhile, the MTB category in the first place was occupied by the participant with number 2715 in the name of Zainal Fanani from Lumajang Regency, Central Java, the second winner was won by the participant with number 2719 in the name of Maydanil Arhan from South Sumatra and the third winner was the participant with number 2644 on the name of Ade Agung from Lahat Regency, South Sumatra.
Apart from releasing the Sriwijaya Gran Fondo participants, HD also took the time to inspect the tourist areas in Lake Ranau, one of which is Bidadari Beach. By driving a water transportation, HD went to the beach together with members of the Indonesian Parliament, Commission XI Hj Percha Leanpuri.
In addition to carrying out the coastal development plan, HD also interacts with MSME actors on the beach of Bidadari.
Also attending the activity, PJS South OKU Regent Nora Elisya, Mayor of Pagaralam Alfian Maskoni, PJS Regent Ogan Ilir Aufa Syahrizal, PJS Regent OKU Zaki Aslam, Regent OKU Timur HM Kholid Mawardi, PJS Regent Musi Rawas Ahmad Rizali, Regent Muara Enim H Juarsah, Danrem 044 Gapo Brigadier General Jauhari Agus Suraji. (jekk/ril)
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