A football game in progress. --fotoBERNAMA
Ngoca Football Fest 2023 in Kampung Budaya Terachi can boost the state’s tourism and elevate Kuala Pilah’s development towards city council status by 2035, says Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
He said the two-day festival targeted 35,000 visitors and aimed to promote the traditional sport of padi field football and catching fish with bare hands.
Aminuddin (second from left) releasing a barn owl at Ngoca Football Fest 2023 held at Kampung Budaya Terachi, Kuala Pilah. (Below) Pillow wrestling offered some splashing fun.
“The usual sports such as swimming and cycling are common.
“But these sports are not available in other states.
“Negri Sembilan has its own identity and I am confident this festival is our trademark, which will elevate Kuala Pilah as an annual tourism destination.
“The local community also benefits. This year we have 64 stalls and a demand for more, compared to 40 previously.
“Vendors have the opportunity to earn extra income and introduce the state’s local products,” Aminuddin said after launching the festival, Bernama reports.He said this year’s festival included participants from Selangor, Kelantan, Melaka, Terengganu and Kuala Lumpur as well as two entries from overseas, namely Zambia and Vietnam.
Other activities throughout the event included pillow wrestling, log climbing and blowpipe contest.
(Above) Visitors showing packs of Seri Menanti rice. (Below) The white rice cultivated in Terachi was launched and sold at the festival, garnering plenty of interest.
Aminuddin said the state government allocated RM800,000 for the construction of additional facilities such as carparks, pedestrian walkways and floodlights at Stadium Ngoca.
He also launched the local white rice brand Seri Menanti, which is cultivated in Terachi.
Aminuddin (second from right) having a go at a blowpipe.
Proceeds from the sale of the rice during the festival were channelled to the Peduli Palestine and Amanah Keluarga Miskin Kuala Pilah funds.
Aminuddin said the state aimed to increase rice production and also revive abandoned land to make padi one of Negri Sembilan’s main crops.
“The state government has added land for padi cultivation in Londah, Gemas and Seri Menanti.
“It is not much now but we will keep adding land every year,” he added.
