Metro

Monday November 9, 2009

Thousands of visitors flock to inaugural kite festival

Story and photos by SIMON KHOO


KUANTAN: The inaugural Kite Festival held in Pantai Sepat here attracted thousands of visitors from all walks of life to the beach for a family outing.

A host of programmes was lined up along the shores to attract visitors and generate business activities for the locals.

Among them were kite-making and children’s singing contests, and beach soccer competitions, besides demonstrations on silat and lion dance in addition to myriad cultural performances.

Admiring the craft: A visitor taking a closer look at some of the kites displayed for a competition.

There were also many booths selling a variety of items such as local snacks, clothes, toys, kites and shoes.

State Arts, Heritage and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Shafik Fauzan Sharif, when launching the event, said the festival was mooted with co-operation of the Pahang Kite-Flying Association to promote Pantai Sepat as a new tourist attraction.

He said response was encouraging as Pantai Sepat was nearer to Kuantan (about 15 minutes’ drive), compared to more well-known beaches in Balok and Cherating were to the state capital.

“We want to diversify our tourist attractions and help generate more economic activities for the local communities.

“Public amenities such as children’s playground and rest huts have been upgraded for the benefit of visitors,” he said, adding that efforts were also being carried out to promote the homestay programmes in Kampung Sepat and the picnic sites.

How high can it go: With the nice wind, visitors had a fun time flying the kites.

Shafik Fauzan said plans were in the pipeline to organise the festival annually in Pantai Sepat and he would submit a proposal for a higher state allocation next year to entice more public participation in the contests.

“I will also propose buying a giant kite in the shape of an eagle or octopus to represent the site as a landmark,” he said. He added that the art of kite-flying could be promoted as a pastime for the entire family.

“The art of making and flying kites is part of our culture and must be preserved and passed on to the younger generation,” he stressed.

Shafik Fauzan opined that there was potential in the art and suggested that the local council consider organising a night kite-flying session using kites affixed with reflectors.

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