Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh today said Meghalaya aspires to host national level water sports events with the pool of talents the state already has.
Lyngdoh who inaugurated the five-day North East Regatta at the Umiam Watersports complex said that the tourism department is looking at the event as a step forward towards hosting a national event within the next two years.
The racing spectacle is being organised by the department in collaboration with Umiam Sailing Club and Yacht Association of India where over 100 participants from over states across India, including from the Indian Army and Naval Services along with Uday Foundation, the first and only sailing NGO in India, are taking part.
Lyngdoh said the objective is to encourage tourism and diversify activities. “By doing so tourist will not just come and stay in a room but there should be more activities,” he said.
He informed that the department will also introduce a yacht and lake cruise to accelerate the pace of tourism.
The regatta would witness exciting boat races along with electrifying music concerts on April 29 and 30, featuring a diverse lineup of local, national, and international artistes to make it a high-octane event. With nature in bounty, there are nature excursions, food and flea markets, a tour package for sailors and tourists, paintball, camping spots, and the introduction of river cruise boats at picturesque Umiam.
The concert today featured K-Pop artiste Kim Woojin from South Korea as the headliner. On Sunday, Delhi-based band Twin Strings will headline the event. Other artistes lined up for the event are Lynx, Ricaa Stella, Banrap, Rum & Monkeys, LB3, Young Natee, Larger Than 90, and DJ Favian.
The opening ceremony was also attended by Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council Chief Executive Member Titosstarwell Chyne, Director General of Police Lajja Ram Bishnoi, Commissioner and Secretary Dr. Vijay Kumar D, Tourism Director Cyril V Diengdoh and Umiam Sailing Club Technical Director Lt. Col. Alok Yadav.
Meanwhile, Colonel Vivek Kalavat, head of technical committee said the team has inspected over 60 boats.
“Our job is to carryout measurement of all equipment so that all equipments are standard and nobody gets advantage over the other because of the equipment,” he said.
While the weather becomes unpredictable in the State, for sailors it is fun. Col Kalavat said, “If there is rain and wind it is even more fun for the sailors. It was after few hours that it started to rain heavily, it may have been fun for the sailors but the spectators were running trying to seek shelter from the rain.”
Alekya Condoo from Secunderabad Sailing Club said the wind in Umiam is shifty with gust patches and lulls. “It’s really interesting to choose your course… It’s just really interesting and challenging it’s not very heavy but hopefully it will be fun,” the known sailor from Hyderabad sailing for seven years said.
