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The Essaouira Mogador Association, principal cultural catalyst of the city of Essaouira, and Abdeslem Bekrate, the Governor of the Province of Essaouira, are honored to announce the Essaouira Kiteboard World Cup, to be held from the 21st to the 26th of July 2006.
Thanks to its partners, the Municipal Council of the City of Essaouira, the Association of Surfers and Fly surfers of Essaouira, Athlete21, and in association with the professional kiteboard tour, KPWT, Essaouira joins the 2006 KPWT world tour with other locations that will host events, such as Perth Australia, Cabo Frio Brazil, Lake Como Italy, among others.
This major sporting event will host 50 professional athletes from around the world, in both women’s and men’s categories. Among the top seeds expected to compete are World Champions Thomas Coquelet and Gisela Pulido; the Essaouira-born Soufiane Hamaini, 4rth overall in 2004; other challengers will be announced later.
The Moroccan stage of the 2006 KPWT is sponsored (to date) by: ONMT, (the Moroccan national tourism office), Lenovo computers (formerly IBM), and Sons of the Desert. Other sponsors are to be announced.
Sports participation is a major development factor in Morocco. To encourage the country’s dynamic young innovators, Athlete21 focuses on three sustainable development values: respect for the environment, economic development and social inclusion. With the support of Governor Bekrate and world cup sponsors, the young surfers of Essaouira will launch a Kitesurf Centre of Excellence that will train Morocco’s future champions.
Well-known to professionals for the quality of sailing conditions, Essaouira beach will also host the Fly ‘n Kite fair, where manufacturers of kite gear will present the latest developments in kiteboarding and exchange ideas with athletes and visitors. Trial gear and training sessions will be available, while demonstrations of SynchrokiteTM are also planned during the week. Sponsors and partners will provide many other activities for young visitors to the event. Popular and VIP evenings will complete the program of festivities.
Kayak, the branding agency chosen to communicate the event, is implementing a global marketing plan. A more detailed program of the week-long event will be communicated in June.
See also
kiteboardpro.com
