As per the latest update, Lake Festival will not have water sports like kayaking, canoeing and dragon boat. Public will be disappointed that it is limited to swimming this year.

Water sports, the biggest attraction of Lake Festival, will not take place which is disappointing news for both locals and tourists. Even the tourist department did not get an update on this and their cards have information about demos by NCC cadets. As per reports, with no proper co-ordination between tourism, sports and NCC departments, it has been decided to cancel water sports.

On one hand, tourist department says that the responsibility for water sports was given to sports officer and he is making all arrangements for the same. On the other hand, district sports officer said that the dragon boat demo by the NCC cadets was cancelled in a meeting held on Tuesday.

Water sports have been happening constantly for the last two years. 600 children from different states participated in dragon boat competitions last year. This year the responsibility of organising dragon boat demonstration was given to district sports officer, as said by NCC officers.

Swimming competition for all ages

District sports officer Lalit Singh Jhala said that kayaking, canoeing and dragon boat competitions were being held for the last two years. These had lost their attraction among people. He also said that children from other states only were participating in these competitions. This is the reason why water sports have been cancelled this year. Only swimming competitions will be held on divisional level. This provision has been kept so that people from all ages can participate in swimming competitions.

There will be 5 levels in swimming competitions…senior citizens group 60 years and above, second group will be for 45-60 years, third group 21 to 45 years, fourth group 17 to 21 years, fifth group 16 to 17 years of age. There will also be competition for children less than 16 years of age. Cash prize up to 80000 rupees will be given to the winners.

No safety equipments

Lalit Singh Jhala also said that NCC cadets were supposed to give certain demonstrations during water sports. In the absence of safety equipments, they refused to give demonstrations.

Music

Music auditions were going on for the festival. 30 school kids have been selected to perform in the Lake Festival. They will perform for three days with orchestra party. Sumita Saroch of the tourism department said that Lake Festival is providing a platform for the local child artists; which is very exciting for the kids.

Source : bhaskarnews