Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, May 28: "The seashore of Karnataka coast happens to be the hub of tourism potential of the state. For the first time, national level surfing competition is being held at the government level. Goa and Kerala have explored their tourism potential by organizing coastal water sports. Karnataka too has good potential for exploring this field. We need to create a congenial environment to attract foreigners to the coastal belt by projecting local culture in addition to holding water sports competitions," felt state tourism, small scale and large industries minister, R V Deshpande.
He was speaking after inaugurating national open surfing competitions being held at Sasihithlu Munda area within Halengady gram panchayat in the taluk by the state tourism department in association with the department of sports, district administration, Mantra Surf Club Association, Kanara Surfing and Water Sports Promotion Council, Halengady gram panchayat, and local institutions and organizations on Friday May 27.
The minister laid emphasis on the need to conserve environment when promoting tourism. Noting that so far, foreigners alone were attracted towards surfing competitions, he felt that holding such events in India will come as a blessing for local talents. He promised to hold surfing competitions every year on a fixed date under the aegis of the department of tourism.
Minister, Abhay Chandra Jain, presided over the function. Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister, Ramanath Rai, MLA, B A Mohiuddin Bava, MLC, Ivan D'Souza, vice president of Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat, Ksturi Panja, zilla panchayat member, Vinod Kumar Bollur, president of Mangaluru taluk panchayat, Mohammed Monu, member, Jeevan Prakash, Haleangady gram panchayat president, Jalaja, president of Karnataka Coastal Development Authority, Nivedita Alva, deputy commissioner, A B Ibrahim, city police commissioner, M Chandra Sekhar, Suresh representing Indian Navy, zilla panchayat chief executive officer, Sreevidya, chief manager of World Surf League, Steve Robertson, president of Indian Surfing Club, Kishore Kumar, entrepreneur, Ronald Colaco, president of Kanara Surfing and Water Sports Council, Ram Mohan Pai Maroor, vice president, Dhananjay Shetty, district information officer, Khader Shah, and a number of other dignitaries and officials were present.