Fourth edition of Sharjah International Paragliding Championship to begin on Friday

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The fourth edition of the much-anticipated Sharjah International Paragliding Championship will kick off in the Jebel Al Faya area on Friday.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairman of the Executive Council, the championship will feature the participation of top paragliders representing 20 countries.

In a historic first, the female paragliders will also be in action at the Sharjah International Paragliding Championship, which will conclude on Sunday.

The details of the event were disclosed during a press conference held at the Sharjah Sports Council headquarters on Wednesday.

The press meet was attended by Eisa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman of Sharjah Sports Council; Nasser Hamouda Al Neyadi, President of Emirates Aerosports Federation; Yousef Hasen Al Hamadi, Vice President of Emirates Aerosports Federation; Mohammed Yousef Al Maazmi, Secretary General of Emirates Aerosports Federation; and Obaid Al Mansouri, Director of the Championship.

Hazami hailed the unwavering support of Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi.

The Chairman of Sharjah Sports Council thanked Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi for his generous support to the fourth edition of Sharjah International Paragliding Championship.

He said: "The Sharjah International Paragliding Championship, which is in its fourth year, has seen impressive growth, and the latest edition has attracted top paragliders from across the world and will be a treat for fans to watch them in action."

Neyadi also thanked Sheikh Sultan for his patronage and issued directives to all organisations to assist and ensure the tournament's success.

"Hazami, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council, along with other government and private organizations in Sharjah, are to be commended for their tremendous efforts.

"These organizations, particularly the Sharjah Sports Council, the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority ("Shurooq"),  and the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), have supported the tournament since it began four years ago.

"Sharjah Municipality, the Sharjah Police, and gratitude to everyone who lent a helping hand to support the event," added Neyadi.

"The highlight of this year’s championship is women’s participation for the first time. The number of nations and participants both increased significantly as a result of the grandeur of the setting and the fantastic weather in the UAE, with the hope that everyone would perform to their highest potential," said Mohammed Yousef, Secretary General of the federation.

Hamadi, vice president of the Emirates Aerosports Federation, expressed gratitude to all the media who contributed to the success of this tournament.

"We hope that this cooperation will continue until we achieve the high goals for which it was established.

"The championship, which is entering its fourth year, is something we hope to spend together in the most beautiful location ever seen by the paragliding championships, the Al-Faya Mountains, which embody the endearing nature of the Emirate of Sharjah. We also hope to add new successes to the championship," he added.

Obaid Al Mansouri, Director of the Championship, shed light on the technical and organizational aspects of the event.

"Registration of the participants opened on December 5 last year and whoever met eligibility criteria is allowed to compete.

"The tournament will begin on Friday, and take place for the next two days, and there is a backup plan in case of the strong winds."