the goan I network
BELAGAVI
Kite lovers in the State are in for a major disappointment as the sixth edition of the two-day Goa International Kite Festival scheduled to take place at Miramar beach on January 16 and 17 has been cancelled, after organisers claimed the Goa Tourism was unwilling to provide free facilities and logistics to the event.
The International Kite Festival, organised by Parivartan Pariwar under the stewardship of Belagavi South MLA Abhay Patil, had been organising the Goa International Kite Festival in association with Goa Tourism for the past five years.
“The Goa International Kite Festival had become a flagship event of Goa Tourism and attracted the attention of participants and media at national and international level, besides adding a lot of national and international tourists. It also inspired Goans to witness the festival,” stated a press note issued by the organisers.
The organisers added: “We regret to inform that the Goa International Kite Festival is cancelled as Goa Tourism expressed its inability to provide facilities and local logistics on no-cost basis.”
“The entire cost of the event, barring accommodation and local logistics, is always borne by the Belgaum
International Kite Festival. The sole purpose of the event was to enhance tourism opportunities. The BIKF gets almost 50 international kite flyers from over 10 countries and over 8 states across the country.”
The organisers have, however, stated that the festival at Belagavi would continue to take place as scheduled on January 18 and 19 at Malini City B S Yedyurappa Marga Belagavi and Hubli on January 20 and 21.
“We appeal to the public at large to visit Belagavi and enjoy the festival,” stated the organisers.
