10 Minangkabau Traditional Houses To Accomodate TDS Officials

Padang Aro, W Sumatra, April 5 (Antara) - Solok Selatan district government, West Sumatra, provides ten traditional houses or "Rumah Gadang" for the accommodation of Tour de Singkarak (TdS) international bikes race, local administration secretary said. "The TdS racers will pass by Solok Selatan as one of routes already set and part of the TdS officials will arrive at Solok Selatan district in advance this year. So that we prepare 10 Rumah Gadang as special accommodation," Secretary to Solok Selatan district, Fachril Murad said here on Friday. Recently, West Sumatra vice governor, Muslim Kasim said in Padang (West Sumatra capital city) that a total of 300 cyclists of 25 teams from several countries will participate in the 5th Tour de Singkarak. The the 5th Tour de Singkarak (TdS) that will take place from June 2-11, 2013 is also expected to be covered by around 100 journalists of print and electronic media from various countries. According to head of the Culture and Tourism Ministry`s West Sumatra provincial office, Burhasman Bur, the TdS participants this year will pass through 17 of 19 districts/cities in the province namely the cities of Padang, Pariaman, Padang Panjang, Bukittinggi, Payakumbuh, Sawahlunto and Solok, then the districts of Padangpariaman, Agam, Pasaman, Tanah Datar, Limapuluh Kota, Solok, Pesisir Selatan, Sijunjung, Dharmasraya dan Solok Selatan, and all together cover 1,000 kiometers. Meanwhile, Fachril Murad said two of the ten Rumah Gadang are situated at Koto Parik Gadang Diateh, and the other eight are in Sungai Pagu sub-district.