No decison yet on venue for Monsoon Cup next year - Khairy

The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) has not taken a decision on the venue for the Monsoon Cup next year, said its minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said although the Monsoon Cup was synonymous with Terengganu, the ministry would first have to discuss with the rights holder from this year - Innovatige Sdn Bhd, whose chairman is Tengku Laksamana Johor Tunku Abdul Jalil Sultan Ibrahim.

"As the minister, I cannot say the Monsoon Cup must be held here or there. We will have to discuss with the Tengku Laksamana first whether to maintain the venue or otherwise," he told reporters after closing this year's edition of the Monsoon Cup in Pulau Duyong here Saturday.

Meanwhile, Tunku Abdul Jalil, who was also present, said various venues were being deliberated by the organiser and the ministry and that an announcement would be made when things were finalised.

On a related matter, Khairy said his ministry hoped the Terengganu government would continue to remain as a sponsor for next year's Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) but if otherwise, make known their decision as soon as possible.

"Right now we have two alternative routes. One where the finish is in Terengganu but if they do not want to be involved, were will be forced to opt for a finish in Kuala Lumpur. This means the route will be from Johor, Pahang and back to the Klang Valley.

"As for me, this is not a problem but my preference is that Terengganu remains as the finishing point for the prestigious race," he said.

Prior to this, Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said had stated that the state government would be withdrawing its RM2 million sponsorship for next year's LTdL and that the state would not be involved in it because the state, which produces the bulk of national cyclists, was not considered to be a cycling venue for the 2017 SEA Games, apart from Pulau Duyong not likely to be hosting the 2014 Monsoon Cup.