Pasir Gudang gets ready to host 17th World Kite Festival

The six-day event will see 542 local and 194 foreign kite enthusiasts taking part

Some of the entries at the kite festival from previous years. Pics by Roslan Khamis

More than 700 participants, including 194 foreigners are expected at the 17th Pasir Gudang World Kite Festival,  themed "1Sky, 1Culture". It is organised by the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council and will be held from Feb 14 to 19.

The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar is expected to launch the festival  on Feb 18 at the Pasir Gudang Municipal Stadium. The six-day event at Taman Bandar, near Bukit Layang Layang in Pasir Gudang will see 542 local kite enthusiasts joining their international counterparts from 30 countries.

Among the countries  sending participants include  Indonesia, China, Thailand, Japan and Austria. The festival coincides with the 10th anniversary of Muzium Layang Layang (kite museum) which has since become a proud landmark for Pasir Gudang folk. Council president, On Jabbar  said many local residents and tourists look forward to the annual festival, as it is a colourful event that appeals to people of all ages.

"Though we have   recorded 194 confirmed participants from overseas, we expect more last-minute entries as the festival draws closer. "We hope this year's unique theme would hopefully encourage participants and visitors to share in this culture. "This is because kite-flying is something that is played by people the  world over," said On. To coincide with the festival, the council is holding a kite workshop, cultural performances by local and foreign participants, drawing competition and   a health campaign.

On said the festival was first started by Johor Corporation since 1995 with the assistance of the state government, state Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee and Johor Tourism Department. For further information about the  festival, log on to www.kitefestpasirgudang.com  or email  ismail@kitefestpasirgudang.com  or anuar@kitefestpasirgudang.com. Alternatively, call 07-251 3720/21/22 or 07-254 7777.

-NST Online.