Freshwater competitions can become viable tourist attractions in the district if they are examined and further developed.

District MP Awang Husaini Sahari said such competitive fishing events (with attractive awards available) are likely to attract large numbers of visitors from both other areas of Sabah, such as fishermen and their families, as well as foreigners from other countries.

For example, he said that fishery events such as Borneo Integrated Farm (BIF) have already attracted nearly 500 fishermen and even attracted foreign fishing visitors from Brunei.

"However, other products such as farm products such as livestock (goat) raising for meat and milk also become a tourism commodity that can be further grown in the district."

Husaini also shared his satisfaction with the success of local entrepreneur, Jason Lee, in supporting activities that are also promoted because they are safe activities which can be participated by the whole family.

"These healthy practices also foster closer ties between the people of the area which I fully support as Putatan's MP," he said.

BIF owner Jason Lee, 43, agreed that such fishing contests could foster better relations and good sporting skills among Sabahans of various kinds and contribute to promoting the region's tourism potential as a whole.

He thanked also Putatan MP for his support in the celebration and hoped to be more attracted to Sabahans to take part in the fishing activity and promote a healthier life style among the public in future with these more competitions planned.