BRUNEI is sending a team to the 2007 Sarawak Regatta, a traditional boat race being promoted as a premier event in the Malaysian State tourism calendar.

The organisers said on Wednesday that this year's event had attracted the highest number of teams ever.

The 15-event annual regatta, to be held from Aug 31 to Sept 2, at the Kuching Waterfront had attracted 346 teams, including two from Brunei and Indonesia.

"We are expecting more than 50,000 spectators to throng the Kuching Waterfront to watch the paddlers battling for a total prize money of RM165,000," said Sarawak Assistant Tourism Minister Hamden Ahmad.

Three new events long boat, jet skiing and kayaking had been introduced this year, he told reporters after receiving sponsorships worth RM150,000 from Petronas, Telekom Malaysia and Shell Malaysia here.

Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud is expected to launch the regatta while Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng will close the event.

Having started more than 135 years ago, the Sarawak Regatta is one of the most popular water sports in the State.

The Sarawak Gazette records showed the event was first held on Feb 29, 1872 at the Sarawak River.Bernama