Vadodara: Did you know that Banayan City hosted the first-ever kite flying competition in the state? And that too, over half a century ago? Surprised, right!
For those enthusiasts who think International Kite Festival is the pioneering event of its kind, here’s some news. Decades before the kite flying festival fever caught on, Vadodara’s Vasantrao Surve, a sportsperson, started kite flying competition in the city in 1973! Kitists soon took to air with the concept and the competition soared in popularity.
“My father was a kite flying enthusiast and a master in it. He decided to start a kite flying competition to give a platform to the enthusiasts,” Nitin, Surve’s son, told TOI.
“The All Baroda Vasantrao Kite Contest used to be held on Kala Bhavan Ground on January 26 where nearly 60-odd kitists participated every year. They would fly big kites with a single string and veer it with the wind. I used to join my father in the event and loved to watch the keen contests,” Nitin, who is a coach at the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA), recalled.
“The winners were awarded trophies and even cash prize. The chief guests were also asked to fly kites during the exhibition match,” Nitin said, adding that the tournament continued for over two decades till Vasantrao was alive.
Manish Rana, whose father had won the kite flying competition in 1985, said, “I recall going to see the contest with my father. People used to participate enthusiastically in the tournament.”
For those enthusiasts who think International Kite Festival is the pioneering event of its kind, here’s some news. Decades before the kite flying festival fever caught on, Vadodara’s Vasantrao Surve, a sportsperson, started kite flying competition in the city in 1973! Kitists soon took to air with the concept and the competition soared in popularity.
“My father was a kite flying enthusiast and a master in it. He decided to start a kite flying competition to give a platform to the enthusiasts,” Nitin, Surve’s son, told TOI.
“The All Baroda Vasantrao Kite Contest used to be held on Kala Bhavan Ground on January 26 where nearly 60-odd kitists participated every year. They would fly big kites with a single string and veer it with the wind. I used to join my father in the event and loved to watch the keen contests,” Nitin, who is a coach at the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA), recalled.
“The winners were awarded trophies and even cash prize. The chief guests were also asked to fly kites during the exhibition match,” Nitin said, adding that the tournament continued for over two decades till Vasantrao was alive.
Manish Rana, whose father had won the kite flying competition in 1985, said, “I recall going to see the contest with my father. People used to participate enthusiastically in the tournament.”
.