Iskandar (third left, wearing a cap) and club members with Siaw (fourth left) during the kite showcase and demonstration.
SIBU: Support from all levels is needed to turn the International Kite Festival into another signature event for Sibu, in addition to the Sibu International BASE Jump.
Awanasari Club Sarikei president Iskandar Naziri said with full support and proper promotional efforts, Sibu can become one of the circuit stopovers for the international kite fest.
“With the solid strong support from our Sibu Resident Charles Siaw and others, we plan to bring in the international kite flyers who will be taking part in next year’s Kabong International Kite Festival through Sibu on their way back after the festival.
“If the plan goes smoothly, perhaps the International Kite Festival can become another signature event for Sibu, apart from the International BASE Jump event,” he said.
Iskandar was speaking to reporters when met after joining the kite-flying showcase and demonstration held at Sibu Town Square One recently.
The showcase and demonstration was held as part of the many on-going activities held in conjunction with the 10th Sibu International BASE Jump 2018, scheduled for Sept 20-23. Siaw was also present during the kite-flying showcase.
According to Iskandar, 10 countries from around the world took part in this year’s edition of the Kabong International Kite Festival held recently, with 25 countries expected to take part next year – scheduled to take place from March 8-10.
He added Sibu, being strategically located in the central region of Sarawak, can potentially attract kite enthusiasts from all over the state as well as from Sabah and Brunei.
Iskandar and his 26 club members have been taking part in international kite festivals in Thailand, Pasir Gudang in Johor, Kabong and Bintulu, to name a few.
“If you have the chance to go to an international kite festival, it will open up your eyes on how big the potential to draw visitors is. For example, there was a three-day international kite festival held in Kelantan recently where even though only 12 countries took part, it still managed to attract more than 50,000 visitors,” he said.