Kozhikode set to host 12th edition of Malabar River Festival
Kozhikode is preparing to host the 12th edition of the Malabar River Festival, a major international white-water kayaking event. The four-day competition will feature athletes from several countries and includes the National Kayakers’ Ranking Championship.
Why it matters
The event promotes regional tourism and establishes the area as a global hub for adventure sports.
The 12th edition of the Malabar River Festival, billed as Asia’s premier white-water kayaking event, will commence along the Chalipuzha and Iruvanjipuzha rivers in Kozhikode district on Thursday (July 30, 2026). Final preparations for the flagship tournament have been completed following a comprehensive review meeting chaired by Thiruvambadyi MLA C.K. Kasim at Kodenchery.
District Collector M.S. Madhavikkutty inspected the kayaking competition venues and assessed the readiness of various sub-committees. Organised by the Department of Tourism, along with the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association (IKCA), the four-day event is set to witness the participation of over 100 paddlers from across the globe. International athletes representing nations such as New Zealand, Italy, Russia, Malaysia, Nepal, and the Czech Republic will compete along with top Indian contenders hailing from States including Karnataka, Ladakh, Meghalaya, and Kerala.
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