Himachal Pradesh to host Paragliding World Cup

By:Himvani

Himachal Pradesh is all set to host the first ever Paragliding World Cup in India,which would held between 23 to 31 October this year at Bir Billing in Kangra valley.

Urban Development Minister Shri Sudhir Sharma, who is also President of Billing Paragliding Association (BPA), today presided over the meeting of Tourism and other concerned departments to review the preparations for the world cup, which was also attended by the members of the BPA.

He said steps are afoot to develop infrastructure of international standard for the championship. The work on developing take-off sites is almost in final stage and the Public Works Department had been directed to repair and maintain roads leading to the paragliding sites besides installing street lights.

Para gliders from over 50 countries are expected to participate in the championship and 47 countries have already confirmed their participation in the event. The event would go a long way in promoting sports and tourism in the state.

State is going to host the world cup after successfully hosting Paragliding Pre-World Cup. Paragliding World Cup Association, France had offered the state to host the event which is a good opportunity to this hill state to host world championship

Minister said that it is a great achievement for this tiny state to get its first ever paragliding world cup in the country. The state has already organized paragliding pre-world cups thrice and in year 2013, it made a bid for organizing the world cup.

The event would boost the sports and tourism activities in the state, as international participants, pilots and others would visit the majestic Kangra valley during this championship. Live trekking system is to be introduced during the event to ensure safety of the pilots and it would also help in rescue operations in case of any emergency. National championship would also be organized after the main event in the month of November.