Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
The Ri Bhoi Watersports and Tourism Cooperative Society Ltd will organise the Megha Kayak Festival 2022 on Umtrew River near Umtham village, Ri Bhoi from October 13-16.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Manik Taneja from Goodwave adventures, Bangalore said that the festival aims to be the largest festival in the Indian Sub-continent with over 80 whitewater kayakers from all over the world.
He added that the total prize money for the festival is pegged at Rs 15 lakh along with gear prizes from sponsors.
The festival will feature Olympic-approved disciplines including the giant slalom, extreme boater-cross, and time-trials races as well as separate categories for intermediate and novice kayakers.
Stating that rivers in the state are ideal for whitewater kayaking and exploration for sport and recreation, Taneja said, “The aim of this festival is to promote adventure tourism and help establish Meghalaya as one of the major water sports destinations in the world.”
Another facet of the festival is to encourage female participation in adventure sports.
Taneja informed that the first edition of the festival was held in 2016.