The 32nd edition of the diving revival voyage organized by Kuwait Sea Sports Club kicked off on Saturday under sponsorship of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Up to 60 young Kuwaitis on board of two dhows launched the endeavor, ceremony of which was attended by the deputy director general of competitive sports, Bashar Abdullah, and head of the sea club Fahad Al-Fahad.

The dhows with the fluttering sails headed from the sea club in Al-Salmiya toward the destination, Khairan.

In a statement at start of the “dasha” ceremony, Abdullah affirmed significance of marking the occasion as it constitutes part of the Kuwaiti heritage.

Although the current time generation is overwhelmed with modern and digital technology, it remains necessary to bring into recollections “our genuine heritage” particularly among the youngsters, he said.

Badr Dhiab, a participant, told KUNA that the experience would stimulate him to remember the forefathers and the difficulties they had gone through in the past times.

His peer, Rashed Al-Fegaan, said he was elated to organize the festival after a three-year hiatus due to the coronavirus. He expressed pride of participating in the activity under sponsorship of His Highness the Amir.

The six-day voyage features the two dhows, donated by the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

The latest edition comes after a three-year hiatus due to ramifications of the coronavirus (covid-19).

The “dasha” ceremony held today would be followed with the special day for the media on Tuesday and “Al-Gafal” on Thursday when the ships sail back to the launch location in Al-Salmiya.

At core of the activity is revival of the ancestors’ hard work and adventures for many of the voyages on the man-made ships in the past aimed at pearling — that was a main source for living for many Kuwaitis.

The club started organizing the annual activity in 1986, when the Ministry of Information furnished the participants with five dhows before the late Amir granted two others in 1987 out of his keenness on encouraging the young citizens get involved in such activities that bring to life the national heritage.

The late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad had also donated other ships to the club, enabling it hold the diving ceremony steadily on yearly basis, keeping memories of the old generations engraved in the conscience of the youth.

Source: Kuwait News Agency