Bir to host open paragliding championship from Nov 11

More than 100 paragliders will participate in the Himalayan Open Paragliding Championship 2010 at Bir. The four-day event organised for the first time by the Department of Sports and Youth Services in collaboration with Aero Club of India. “All arrangements,including logistics and safety precautions have been taken,” said Director of Sports and Youth Services J R Katwal. The event will be held from November 11 to 14.

Chief Parliamentary Secretary (Sports) Satpal Satti said the event was scheduled to be held from October 29 to November 1,but due to the ban imposed by the Centre in view of the Commonwealth Games,it had to be rescheduled. “It will be a mega event in which women and local paragliders would also participate,” he said.

The championship had been divided into three categories — open category (30-35 km),women (30 km) and freshers (10-15 km). The top three winners of open championship will be given cash prizes of Rs 25,000,Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively. Similarly,the winners of the women and freshers’ category would get cash prizes of Rs 10,000,Rs 7,000 and Rs 5,000 along-with trophies.