The Paragliding International Championship and Himalayan National Paragliding Championship, 2012 is being organized at Billing (2600M) in District Kangra from 25th October to 1st November, 2012.

While announcing the schedule Principal Secretary, Youth Services and Sports V.C. Pharka, said that the event was being organized jointly by Department of Youth Services and Sports and Tourism department, Himachal Pradesh with Technical Support of Aero Club of India (ACI) and Federation of Aeronautical International (FAI).

He said that the Paragliding Pilots should submit their registration with all details before 22nd October, 2012. Besides, Paragliders having or had performed 35 kilometers cross country twice and had knowledge of collision avoidance and air traffic rules would be eligible for participating in the event. He said that the technical part of the event would be looked after by Technical Committee to be constituted by Department of Youth Services and Sports in consultation with Aero Club of India and FAI.

The Chairman of Technical Committee would be nominated by Aero Club of India. He said that the briefing of pilots would be done by the Technical Committee on 24th October, 2012 at Aero Club Centre, Bir-Billing adding that the final selection of the participants would be done on 22nd October, 2012.

He said that the paragliders would be provided free transportation from landing site i.e. Bir to take-off site Billing. Apart from this, the department of Youth Services and Sports and experts from Atal Behari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali would provide Rescue, Retrieval and Safety teams during the competitions.

Pharka said that the task includes Championship for both Men and Women. He said that the trial would be held on 25th October, 2012 followed by the competitions which would be held from 26th October to 1st November, 2012 and conclude on 1st November at Bir. He said that the Organising Committee would comprise of Director, Youth Services and Sports, representatives of Aero Club of India, Director, Atal Behari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali, SDM, Baijnath, District Tourism Officer, Kangra, DSP Baijnath, XEN, PWD, IPH and HPSEB, Baijnath with Joint Director, Youth Services and Sports as Organising Secretary of the Championship.

Pilots could also apply on-line on [email protected] and [email protected] and for any additional information can log on its website. They can also contact Director YSS on phone number 0177-2620987, 2622032 and District Youth Services and Sports officer, Kangra at Dharmshala on phone number 01892-222317 and 094182-95480.