LAUNCHING SPEECH FOR THE 2010 DARWIN – DILI YACHT RALLY
MTCI TIMOR-LESTE
HIS EXCELLENCY
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM, TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Authorities of the Australian Government in the Northern Territory,
Representatives from the CYANT,
Excellencies,
Honored guests,
Representatives of Media,
Ladies and gentlemen,
First of all, I would like to state that I am very delighted to be among you, as the representative of my government, at the launch of this historical day in the world of sailing.
Secondly, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Australian Government in Northern Territory, representatives from the Cruising Yacht Association of the Northern Territory, and to those who have been very supportive and facilitative to ensure this event becoming a reality.
As Minister for Tourism, Trade and Industry, I do announce that the Government of Timor Leste is determined to initiate and organize the 2010 Darwin Dili Yacht Rally with the aim to re-establish yachting links as an annual event on the Yachting Calendar. It is indeed a strategic measure towards the future, not just for sailing enthusiasts but most importantly to enhance tourism sectors between Timor Leste and Australia.
The bilateral tourism sector is hoped to strengthen the bonds of friendship and reciprocity between the two countries and two people. Australian tourists, investors and professionals are among the largest statistics contributing to Timor Leste’s tourism and development interventions with the highest standards of work. This event will unite us in supporting the economy, cultural and social welfare to the people of Timor Leste.
The visionary and prophetic statement of the Organizing Committee in the 1970’s, “This is the beginning of the race”. “The future will be a very interesting one”, is indeed a fact today.
If in the 1970’s the flag that commanded East Timor destiny was the Portuguese Flag, forty years later, now 2010, East Timor becomes Timor Leste and has its own Flag. The prophecy is true to life!
6 (six) yachts participated in the first ever international sailing event in 1973. 24 (twenty four) competitors took part the following year; unfortunately the event ceased in 1975 due to the political turmoil in Portuguese Timor. In 2002, eighty (8) yachts made the voyage from Darwin to Dili to welcome the Nation’s Independence Proclamation, in May 2002.
Congratulations to the Organizers and Sailors who witnessed Timor Leste’s historical transformation from a colony to an Independent Country.
This year, the Cruising Yacht Association of the Northern Territory (CYANT), is going to write the Second Chapter of its history with Timor Leste.
Today, at 11.00 o’clock, a fleet of technologically advanced yachts will set out from Darwin Harbor, in 2010 THE DARWIN DILI YACH RALLY. The course of the rally will take these yachts on a great 425 Nautical Mile adventure through the Timor Sea, passing Jaco Island to the FINISH LINE off the City of Dili, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste.
The race will provide a unique opportunity to discover Timor Leste’s beautiful and unique landscape for tourism destination and future sports tourism as the race will receive local and international media exposure.
We look forward therefore to a memorable week in July 2010 when the eyes of the international sailing community will focus on Timor Leste. A week that will remain forever in the memory of everyone coming to Timor Leste as part of this epic sporting event, and also registered in the heart and mind of our people and our country, beloved Timor Leste.
To the voyagers, I wish you BOM VIAGEM!
To the organizers, I thank you again for the meaningful and tremendous support!
To the rest, enjoy the spectacular illustration of courage from the great sailors and union of two nations!
I hereby declare that the 2010 Darwin Dili Yacht Rally is officially open.
