NTB Provincial Government Asks WSBK Mandalika To Be Maintained

DOC/ANTARA/Ahmad Subaidi

The West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government hopes that the implementation of WSBK at the Mandalika Circuit will be maintained in the midst of the plan to eliminate world motorcycle racing due to losses.

"Yesterday we were still affected by COVID-19 so that when the first one was implemented it was not as expected. But God willing, the better situation both at home and from abroad, there will be no restrictions on the status of COVID-19, the enthusiasm of the audience will definitely recover," said the Regional Secretary (Sekda) NTB., Then Gita Ariadi was reported by ANTARA, Friday, June 16.

He said as an effort to encourage public interest, especially outsiders of NTB, to watch international activities, was to increase promotion and approach especially to fanatical audiences.

"We are increasing promotions and exciting fanatical audiences. For a long time, like other places, visitors are flooded. The enthusiasm of spectators from outside the WSBK is getting better so it's crowded," he said.

The NTB Regional Secretary assessed that even if there was a shortage, it would not be a problem because it was the first time it was implemented. Therefore, the shortage should be an evaluation for future improvements.

"We have representatives as commissioners at ITDC communications, we hope that this event will provide suggestions and input. We are fighting for ITDC to add events so that the facilities that are built can be of great benefit," he said.

InJourney President Director Dony Oskaria said the biggest loss of the Mandalika Circuit came from the WSBK implementation. This event is not attractive for investors to be sponsors.

"This WSBK shows a loss, so what we are doing is that we will negotiate to eliminate this WSBK," he said in a working meeting with Commission VI of the DPR RI, Wednesday (14/6).

According to him, if the WSBK is eliminated later, it can help reduce the company's burden so that the losses incurred do not get bigger every year compared to if the event is maintained.

"Later, the WSBK will go down, we will eliminate it, so that there will be no fees in the implementation of the WSBK, which actually does not attract sponsorship," he said.