SYANGJA, Nov 2: An International Paragliding Competition began on Wednesday at Syangja’s main tourist area Sworek Ground in Bhirkot Municipality-5, Mahapur Maidan. The competition will continue till November 6. 

The competition is being jointly organized by Nepal Paragliding Hangdling Association, Nepal Air Sports Association and Babu Adventure Club. The Syanga District Coordination Committee has also supported the competition. 

The criteria to win in the competition are accuracy, cross cutting and tandem, as per the organizer. “There are separate competitions for national, international, male and female paragliding enthusiasts. Candidates from Nepal for the Asian Games 2018 will also be selected through the competition,” said Babu Adventure Club’s President Krishna Jung KC.

As many as 300 players from 20 different countries, including Nepal, India, China, France, Britain, Spain, Switzerland, Venezuelan and Bangladesh, among others, are participating in the competition. There will be 36 different competitions where the players will fight for 12 gold, 12 silver and 12 bronze medals along with prizes for men and women  in the overall competition. 

According to trainer of Nepal Paragliding Hangliding Association Sanobabu Sunuwar, the competition aims at declaring the best tandem pilot of the year where this is the first time in the world where the paragliding completion will have tandem competition as well. 

The winner of the tandem category will get a tandem glider that is equivalent to 2700 Euro, second runner up will get a tandem rescue kit and the third runner up will get a harness. 

This is the first level of selection to participate in the Asian Air Sports going to be held in Indonesia where five women and seven men will be selected from this competition. 

The competitors will fly over the skies of Syangja, Parbat, Gulmi and Baglung. 
According to the organizers, around Rs 11.5 million is being spent for the competition.