The vibrant skies of Bir Billing in Himachal Pradesh came alive on Saturday as the Paragliding World Cup kicked off, drawing 105 pilots from 38 countries to compete in various categories. This thrilling global event is being held for the second time in Bir Billing, located near Baijnath in Kangra district, and promises an exciting five-day showcase of skill and adventure.
The inaugural day of the competition was flagged off by the Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. Addressing the gathering, he highlighted the state’s commitment to becoming a premier hub for adventure sports, saying, “The state government is making concerted efforts to promote adventure sports in Himachal Pradesh, as our diverse landscape offers unique opportunities for such activities.”
To further support this vision, he announced a grant of Rs 31 lakh to the Himachal Paragliding Association, aimed at strengthening paragliding infrastructure and promotion across the state.
Expressing enthusiasm for Bir Billing’s growing reputation, Goran Dimishkovski, President of the World Paragliding Cup Association, noted, “This is the second time the World Cup is being held in Bir Billing, recognized globally as one of the top take-off sites for paragliding.”
Anurag Sharma, President of the Bir Paragliding Association, extended his gratitude to the government and the Tourism Department for their unwavering support, expressing optimism about hosting more international events in the future at Bir Billing. This year’s World Cup is expected to set new standards, attracting paragliding enthusiasts and spectators from across the world to witness the excitement and expertise in the skies of Himachal Pradesh.