Uncertainty dogs Billing Paragliding World Cup

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, September 16

Uncertainty prevails over the  Paragliding World Cup to be held at Billing in the last week of the next month. Though nearly a month is left for the event no preparation could be seen either by the state tourism department or the Bir Billing Paragliding Association.

The Paragliding World Cup is organised at Billing every. 

On earlier occasions prior to the year 2014, only pre-world championships were held here. There championships were held for five times. It was former Chief Minister Virbhadhra Singh who took an initiative for organizing International World cup Championship in the year 2015. He favoured a bigger event at Billing, developed adequate infrastructure and also provided adequate funds for the event.

The state tourism or the youth welfare departments seem non-serious about the holding of the event. Therefore, there 

is complete uncertainty whether the event would be organised or not.

On earlier occasions, Sudheer Sharma, former State urban Development Minister, used to take personal interest in holding this international event at Billing with an object to boost tourism and popularise adventure sport in the state. With the change of guard at Shimla, the current government has not shown any interest in paragliding events.

The event was proposed to be organized from October 24 to 30 at Bir Billing. The , an agency which organises such global adventurous events, has not notified the dates of the Paragliding World Cup in its calendar so far. More than 300 pilots from India and abroad are likely to reach Billing in first week of October for trials.

Billing is considered as one of the best site for para gliding sites in the world. 

Was proposed for October 24-30

• The Paragliding World Cup was proposed to be organised from October 24 to 30 at Bir Billing. 
• The Paragliding World Cup Association has not notified the dates of the event in its calendar so far. 
• More than 300 pilots from India and abroad are likely to reach Billing in first week of October for trials.