CONGRATULATIONS: Bohari (left) presents the certificate to SSKC Delta Force from Japan who earlier emerged the overall champion in the first Asia Pacific Sport Kite Championships.
David Gomberg
BINTULU: The ninth edition of Borneo International Kite Festival next year will see more participation from international kite enthusiasts namely from Europe, South and North America.
David Gomberg, the chairman of World Sport Kite Championships (WSKC) who said this explained that this year’s festival generated much excitement and expressed confidence that the festival could attract more international countries to be part of the event next year.
“This is such a wonderful festival and we are hoping to make this better than other larger festivals around the world,” he said when speaking on behalf of international participants during the appreciation dinner which was held at a hotel here on Sunday.
David who is American was also confident that all the 94 participants representing 24 countries have enjoyed the festival.
“This is one of the popular events on Facebook this week,” he joked.
As such, for the 9th edition, he said WSKC would try to get more participation from other international countries.
David thanked the organisers for their hospitality and wished everyone a safe journey back to their respective countries.
“We would spread the good news about the excitement that we had here this week,” he promised.
Meanwhile, Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) public relations manager Mohamed Ansari Mohd Syed Ahmad said this year’s festival was a success.
“We received a very good response from members of the public even from the Head of State himself.
“He was impressed with the numbers of international participants in this year’s festival,” he said.
State Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Abang Openg gave his word to ensure that the event would be on par with if not better than other world class events held in the country, Ansari added.
“We need all the comments, feedbacks and support from everyone. Running a big event is not easy, there are ups and downs doing it, we hope to make this festival better and bigger next year,” said Ansari.
He also thanked the national kite flyers for taking time to participate in the event.
BDA secretary Bohari Kipli presented certificates of appreciation to all participants.