KUCHING, July 28 (Bernama) -- Come next year, the Sarawak Regatta might just fire up its tourism appeal as plans are underway to introduce an international dragon boat race.

Kuching Division Resident Liew Jin Min said the dragon race was proposed, following enquiries from water sport enthusiasts from foreign countries.

"We have received an enquiry from Australia whether there would be a dragon boat race for this year's regatta. While there will not be one (this year), we propose to hold it next year," he told a news conference on Wednesday.

Liew said, this year's regatta would be held on a grander scale than those in previous years, adding that international sport channel ESPN would cover the three-day event, beginning Friday, at the Kuching Waterfront.

He said 17 events would be held at the regatta, involving 5,844 peddlars.

Indonesia and Brunei have confirmed participation.

"Among the events to be contested are long boat race, jet ski race and passenger boat race," said Liew.

He said the number of visitors for this year's regatta was expected to exceed last year's turn out of 50,000 visitors.

Source from BERNAMA