Children with special needs to also fly during AAI Paragliding World Cup in Himachal Pradesh
Author(s): City Air NewsA view of Paragliding. Chandigarh, 22 September 2015: The AAI Paragliding World Cup 2015, which will see the world’s best Paragliders in action in a thrilling competition, also seeks to provide a ‘Once-in-a-Lifetim
cityairnews
Sep 22, 2015 12:30
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A view of Paragliding.
Chandigarh, 22 September 2015: The AAI Paragliding World Cup 2015, which will see the world’s best Paragliders in action in a thrilling competition, also seeks to provide a ‘Once-in-a-Lifetime’ experience for Children with Special needs. They will be provided with an opportunity to fly with the best pilots of the world in tandem flights during the event on a day earmarked for them.
The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Mr. Virbhadra Singh, who is very encouraging and pro-active in empowering Children with Special needs, has taken a personal interest in devoting a day fully for them.
He said some of the experienced Indian and international pilots will be enlisted to take the children on tandem flights and give them the unique experience. He also said, such specially adapted tandem Paragliding rides are available for children and even adults with a range of special needs in other western countries, but it will be done in India for the first time.
Children will be chosen from every District and Zila and these experiences will enable children to carry back best memories of the event. This will also give them a sense of ‘freedom’ and be a part of the largest Paragliding event in India and meet the best pilots in the world.
These rides will be free of charge and will give young individuals an opportunity to soar in the skies and feel freedom from any mobility, balance, or other issues they may face on the ground.
Paragliding experts contend that such flights, while empowering youngsters and adults, who have special needs, are also a form of a ‘therapeutic flying experience’.
According to President of the Billing Paragliding Association, Mr. Sudhir Sharma, who is also the Urban Development Minister of Himachal Pradesh, such special days will become a frequent feature when the National Championships becomes a regular affair on the Indian Paragliding calendar. “The Chief Minister, Mr. Virbhadra Singh, has always been keen on providing greater opportunities for children and more so for those with special needs. And the AAI Paragliding World Cup would be the ideal platform to give these children a chance to ‘fly’,” said Mr. Sharma.
Mr. Rajesh Srivastava, Sr. Vice President of BPA, added that this will now become a regular feature at all Paragliding competitions in India and there will be efforts to have regular sessions for Children with special needs.
The organization will also make a request to sponsors to come out with donations to ‘teach’ and give an experience to children and adults with special needs. Children from other states could also be brought from time to time to give this experience.
About the AAI Paragliding World Cup:
The best paragliders in the world will gather in Bir Billing and show their mettle, as India gears up to host the “AAI Paragliding World Cup 2015”. Preparations are underway on a massive scale in Bir Billing in Himachal Pradesh, where the World Cup would be staged from October 23 – 31 2015. The Billing Paragliding Association (BPA), which has been entrusted to organize the event, is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a memorable experience for everyone.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will be the Title Sponsors and actively promote the sport and the event through various avenues and platforms to be announced soon. The AAI has also taken up the task of promoting Adventure Sports and help build an additional avenue for Tourism.
About 130 of the best paragliders, including those in World’s Top-5, from over 30 countries are set to participate in the championship, which will put India firmly on the global paragliding map.
During the week-long Championships, the edge of competitive sport during the day will also include a lot of fun and frolic in the evenings, with specially themed programmes being planned during each evening. The gala opening and the closing ceremonies promise to be extravaganzas, adding their own colour to the World Cup.
About Billing Paragliding Association:
The Billing Paragliding Association formed in 2006 had successfully organized the Pre-World Cup of Paragliding at the same venue in 2013 to test the waters with extremely encouraging results and great response, which paved the way for the World Cup to be brought here.
The BPA is the only organization recognized by Aero Club of India, which in turn is the only body recognized by Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the governing world body for air sports, and the Paragliding World Cup Association (PWCA). The FAI was formed in 1905.
As a competitive sport, Paragliding has already featured in some Games like the South-East Asian Games and the Asian Beach Games. Paragliding was also short-listed in the initial list of new events for 2020 Olympics, but will now be considered for 2024 Olympic Games.
About Bir Billing:
Bir Billing is considered the second best paragliding spot in the world and steps have been taken to develop infrastructure of international standards for the championship. The take-off and landing areas are being completely redone, and state-of-the-art facilities are being built for the paragliders, officials and spectators alike.
Date:
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
