An Aberdeen kickboxing competition and an Inverness music festival have received a substantial funding boost.
It was announced yesterday that eight events across the country will benefit from a share of £143,500 of funding from EventScotland.
The World Karate and Kickboxing Commission (WKC) Aberdeen Open, taking place in May has been selected as one of the recipients.
The event, which is Scotland’s largest kickboxing competition, will offer spectators the chance to see local kickboxing talent as well as internationally acclaimed fighters from Ireland, Europe and the USA compete.
In a bid to bolster attendee numbers, the event has been awarded £5,000 to support its marketing activities.
Malcolm Evans, president of WKC Scotland, said: “We are extremely grateful to EventScotland for supporting The Aberdeen Open 2019, Scotland’s biggest kickboxing event.
“This is the fourth year of the competition and it has grown year on year to attract some of the best local, national and international kickboxers.
“Our main objective is to demonstrate the real benefits of kickboxing and increase public participation in the sport.
“The generous support has allowed us to communicate the mental and physical health benefits associated with kickboxing, as well as attracting new audiences by building excitement ahead of the event on May 5.”
Further north the Gathering – a new one-day festival held in the grounds of the historic Northern Meeting Park in Inverness – has been awarded £10,000 towards its infrastructure.
The festival will feature a host of traditional and folk based bands from across Scotland alongside a line-up of craft food and drink suppliers from the region.
The deadline for the next round of the National Programme is 7 June 2019 with events taking place from January 2020 onwards eligible to apply.
Guidelines for entry are available on www.eventscotland.org.
