Tag Archives: paragliding

Kerala to host International Adventure Sports Championships

 

Scaling up its status as an adventure tourism destination, Kerala is set to host international Surfing, Paragliding, and Mountain Cycling championships in February-March 2025. These events, organised by the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS) under the Tourism Department, will showcase Kerala’s potential as a global hub for adventure sports.

The International Surfing Festival will be held at Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram, on February 27 and 28, featuring events like SUP Technical Race and Paddle Board Technical Race. Technical support is provided by the Surfing Federation of India and the International Surfing Association (ISA). The International Paragliding Festival at Vagamon, Idukki, from March 19 to 23, will host 75 gliders, including 40 from 25 countries, competing for the prestigious Vagamon International Accuracy Cup 2025.

The Mountain Terrain Biking Championship (MTB Kerala 2025) will take place from March 28 to 30 at Mananthavady, Wayanad. With a five-km track above 3,000 feet and a focus on cross-country cycling, this eighth edition will attract global cyclists and amateurs. Supported by the Union Cyclist International, the event is organised in collaboration with DTPC Wayanad and the Cycling Federation of India (CFI).

KATPS, in partnership with Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS), is also launching training programs in adventure tourism, along with a free Front Office Associate course under the ‘Hunar Se Rozgar’ project, offering participants government-approved certification and stipends.

Haryana to unveil ‘Flying Milkha Singh Club’ for adventure sports

Morni Hills in Panchkula region of Haryana is pegged to become a tourist hub and the groundwork for this has begun. On Sunday, the state Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated the ‘Flying Milkha Singh Club’ which will be used for training youth in adventurous sports. The club- dedicated to the athlete Milkha Singh- will soon be set up at Morni Hills where many adventure sports, water sports and tourism activities can take place.

A report by The IE noted that the club is a tribute to the late legendary athlete Milkha Singh. The inauguration ceremony took place two days after the 91-year old former Indian track and field sprinter passed away due to the Covid-19 related complications. Khattar said that after his demise, in order to pay tribute to him, he came up with the decision to name the club after Milkha Singh and his colleagues supported his decision. He added that the club is expected to train the youth in a professional way so that they can pursue a career in adventure sports.

Apart from this, the Haryana CM inaugurated other adventure activities as well and this included parasailing, paramotor gliding, paragliding and water sports. Tikkar Taal within Morni Hills also received a water jet scooter. All ministers present drove the water jet scooter and also tried out paramotor gliding. Khattar said that development of Tikkar Taal, Morni Hills area is being done in a way so it can provide international level support in adventure sports.

Meanwhile, some operations at Tikkar Taal have begun. Gaurav Garg, operator of Paramotor, a parasailing firm, said that the cost of a paramotor gliding ride has been kept at Rs 1,500, and Rs 1,000 for parasailing. By September, a detailed policy regarding these sports will be rolled out.

It is to note that the government has also introduced the concept of ‘Oxy Van’ here which is a new policy that will allow students of classes VIII to XII to receive extra marks if they cater to and nurture saplings. Panchkarma Wellness Centre, on the other hand, has also been inaugurated which has a panoramic view of Nature Trails of the Morni Hills and Nature Camp Thapli. The foundation stone of Navgrah Vatika, Nakshatra Vatika, and Rashi Van was also laid virtually by the CM. The three are collectively known as Antriksh Van. (Source Financial Express)