TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Local government officials and residents living around Lake Toba, North Sumatra province, have started removing water hyacinth from the lake as part of preparations for hosting the 2023 Aquabike World Championship.

"We continue to clean up the lake from water hyacinth to welcome the Aquabike World Championship that is scheduled for November 2023," head of Karo district's Culture, Youth, Sports, and Tourism Office, Munarta Ginting, said in Medan city on Saturday, September 23, 2023.

Ginting informed that his side, along with local residents, is focusing on cleaning areas that will be used for the international-level competition.

"So, we are manually working hand in hand to execute the cleaning by transporting (the water hyacinth) in boats and then garbage trucks," he said.

He then expressed optimism that the cleaning activity will be completed before the championship takes place.

"The cleaning is still ongoing. In the process, we are facing difficulties, including the strong wind that pushes the plants to the edge of the lake. Hence, we continue to anticipate such an obstacle," he added.

He affirmed that his side has been making the utmost efforts to prepare accommodation for tourists coming to watch the championship.

"Regarding accommodation, the Karo district government is ready to welcome the arrival of tourists. Moreover, we will also hold additional events to enliven the Aquabike World Championship," Ginting said.

Earlier, state-run tourism holding PT Aviasi Wisata Indonesia (InJourney) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with H20 Management Ltd on organizing the Aquabike World Championship in Lake Toba, which covers Karo, Toba, Dairi, and Samosir districts.

President director of InJourney, Dony Oskaria, said that the holding of the international jet competition is aimed at promoting and developing Lake Toba, which is one of the super-priority tourism destinations (DPSP).

InJourney has also inked a joint agreement with the governments of North Sumatra province as well as four districts around Indonesia's largest lake.

ANTARA

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