November 11, 2010

'Himalayan Open Paragliding Championship' got-off to Colourful start





'Himalayan Open Paragliding Championship' got-off to Colourful start

Vijyender Sharma
Dharmshala 11 November: Sh. Ramesh Dhawala, Food and Civil Supplies Minister declared open the 'Himalayan Open Paragliding Championship' at the world famous site Billing, in district Kangra today after performing the Yajna ceremony.
While talking to the media persons on the occasion, the minister said that more such paragliding sites needed to be identified in the State so as to boost the adventure sports activities and provide an opportunity of self-employment to the local youth. He said that Department of Youth Services and Sports and Tourism Department should work together to promote such games in the State, which would not only attract the sports lovers and also provide employment to the local population.
He said that there was a need to look into the safety aspects of the championship and appealed the pilots not to fly after consuming or taking any type of intoxicants. He said that the state government was giving fillip to adventure sports and apart from Paragliding, water sports, Skiing and Aero-sports would also be promoted to make the state a hub of such sports.
The minister also interacted with the pilots and other participants and asked the local pilots who had ample flying experience, to visit one of such site suitable for paragliding in his home segment and inspect the same.
Earlier, Director Youth Services and Sports, Sh. J.R.Katwal welcomed the minister and detailed the itinerary of the championship. He said that as many as 130 participants were taking part in the contest adding that it was for the first time that the novice category was being given an opportunity to take part in the championship so as to improve and polish their skills and make them competent to participate at the National and International level.
He said that around 25 foreign pilots from Austria, Russia, France, Uzbekistan, Itlay, Czechoslovakia, etc were also participating in the tournament. He said that to ensure the safety of the pilots a team of doctors with Ortho experts had been deputed wit ambulance services and also
The inaugural flight was taken by Mike and Money brothers from Austria.
It is pertinent to mention here that the championship was being organized by the department of Youth Services and Sports for the first time in collaboration with the tourism department and technical support from Aero Club of India.
Sub Divisional Magistrate, Sh. Bhardwaj, and other officers of the State Government and from Aero Club of India were also present on the occasion.

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