With the international festival of youth and nautical sports, we want to encourage the marine potentials across the country.
Mataram, NTB (ANTARA News) - Vice President Boediono opened the 6th International Festival of Youth and Nautical Sports 2011 (FIPOB 2011) at Mandalika beach in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), on Mondy.

Arriving at the festival venue, the vice president and Madame Herawati Boediono were greeted by State Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs Andi Malarangen and NTB Governor Zainul Majdi.

The vice president took about 90 minutes from his hotel at Senggigi beach to reach Mandalika beach where the international festival of youth and nautical sports is takes place.

"The 6th FIPOB is a multi activity to foster members of the younger generation to promote their love of the sea, motivate their creativity and achievement, and to strengthen their partnership access to the younger people of other countries," the vice president said in his opening remark.

He said the international festival of youth and nautical sports was also part of regional tourism promotion to the international community.

Vice President Boediono flew a kite with a logo of FIPOB at Mandalika beach to mark the opening of the festival.

Meanwhile, Governor Zainul Madjid said the festival from July 11 to 17, 2011, would be attended by around 1,500 participants from 33 provinces in Indonesia and 33 countries.

The governor said the festival was held at four different locations namely at Mandalika beach, Lakey beach, Senggigi beach, and in Mataram.

According to the governor, FIPOB was an event to improve the relationship among the youths, and to encourage the dissemination of West Nusa Tenggara tourism information because the province has set itself a target of one million tourists this year.

Youth and Sports Affairs Minister Andi Malarangeng said the festival was also intended to develop marine tourism because the potentials of around 81,000 kilometers of Indonesian coastline have yet to be used optimally.

"With the international festival of youth and nautical sports, we want to encourage the marine potentials across the country," Andi Malarangeng said.
(O001)

Editor: Ella Syafputri
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