An ambitious proposal for the establishment of an annual, weekly sports festival in Kythera submitted to the Municipal Authority the faction «All Together, Kythera - Antikythera». With the central rationale that «Kythera has potential but lacks targeted actions», the party aims to develop sports tourism as a tool to attract visitors outside the high tourist season.
From Marathon to... Cliff Diving and Motocross
According to the press release issued, the proposed Kythera Sports Festival is planned to cover a wide range of activities, capable of attracting athletes, teams, supporters and spectators. The programme is proposed to include:
Classic endurance and nature sports: Road races (marathon, half marathon), hiking, cycling, swimming and water sports.
High adrenaline and spectacle action: Impressive events such as high altitude diving (along the lines of the famous Red Bull Cliff Diving), motocross races, and air shows.
Organisational model and the «one-year rule»
The party stresses that the success of such a project depends entirely on rigorous and professional planning. A key prerequisite is the immediate establishment of a special organising committee.
In order to ensure mass participation and tourist occupancy, the proposal lays down an inviolable, practical rule: the programme must be announced a full year in advance. Early planning is essential in order to:
Bookings open early at local accommodation.
Continue cooperation with the relevant sports federations to ensure nationwide coverage.
Effective coordination with the ferry and airline companies to enhance services during the week of the festival.
The local associations and professionals of the island are activated and integrated in the planning.
Waiting for the Mayor's moves
Clarifying that the proposal is «practical and applicable and not theoretical», the faction «All Together, Kythera - Antikythera» essentially throws the «ball» to the Municipal Authority.
As stated in the announcement, the next step now belongs to the Mayor of Kythera, who is expected to take the initiative for the formation of the proposed organizing committee. The request, concludes the faction, is to proceed with the planning step by step and without further delay, so that the island can finally acquire an institution with prospects, continuity and real economic benefit for the local community.
