April 3: An open paragliding championship is going to be held in Pokhara with the objective of promoting the tourism business which has slowed down due to Covid-19. The three-day competition will kick off on April 6. 

The competition is being organized by Nepal Airsports Association (NAA) with the support of various organizations related to paragliding. Krishna Bhandari, president of the association, said that the competition is being organized to attract domestic and foreign tourists as well as to promote adventure sports activities. 

According to him, in the championship this year will feature competitions in various categories including Accuracy, Overall Landing, Women's Landing, Team Landing, Accuracy Tandem and Air Show Costume. 

Male and female athletes will participate in four different events towards the accuracy of paragliding. Bhandari said that the first, second, third and position holders of the Overall Landing event will receive cash prizes of Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000, Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively. 

Similarly, the first, second, third and players in the women’s landing will receive cash prizes of Rs 30,000, Rs 20,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively. 

Likewise, the first three winners of Team Accuracy will receive Rs 20,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively. Similarly, in other areas under accuracy tandem, the players finishing first, second, third will receive cash prizes of Rs 30,000, Rs 20,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively. 

The first place winner as Best Acrobat in the Air Show will get Rs 15,000 cash prize, second will get Rs 10,000 and third place winner will get Rs 5,000 along with medals and certificates. Along with this, prize money of Rs 10,000 will also be given to Best Costumes in the competition. 

The organizers have said that the names can be registered online till April 3 to participate in the competition. Nepalis and foreigners are participating in the competition. According to the organizers, it will cost around Rs 3 million to organise the competition. 

The annual competition had not been held for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.