Participants at the International White Water Kayaking championship at Pulikkayam have called for better initiatives on the part of all responsible tourism authorities to improve public participation at the annual event.
“You need not arrange modern tourism amenities here to host us. What we look for is a better crowd to encourage us in the event,” says Sarah Waddington, a kayaker from the United Kingdom.
Jacopo Nordera, an Italian citizen and one of the international coordinators of the event, says Kozhikode is yet to tap the possibilities of a white-water kayaking destination to the full. “We need more people from this region as active participants and promoters,” he says.
Kaushiq Kodithodika, a kayaker and the founder of Jellyfish Watersports, says the participation of trained kayakers from Kerala is very low despite the State having favourable conditions and resources. “We will get more viewers only when we try to train our local talents in the event,” he adds.
Residents from the area say there is no permanent organising committee supported by the government to plan the international event in advance and conduct it in a professional way to attract crowds. “Only local villagers are regular viewers of the championship here as no proper outdoor publicity or campaign is undertaken in advance to promote it in,” says M. Joseph, a resident of Pulloorampara. He points out that the situation will improve only with active field-level involvement of top-level tourism department authorities and associated organisations.
Tourism Department sources say the event will get more attention only when it is included in the tourism calendar.
