Paragliding championship takes wing at Rhenock

PAKYONG, (IPR): The three-day Flying Festival & Paragliding Accuracy Championship 2026, was formally flagged off by Advisor to CM, Bishnu Kumar Khatiwada and chairman, Tourism and Civil Aviation department, Sonam Norgay Lachungpa, in the presence of chief patron, Jan Kalyan Prakosta, Prabhakar Golay, at Thumki Dara and Amba Dara, Pakyong on Friday.

The inaugural ceremony was also attended by chairman, Sikkim Housing and Development Board, Karma Tashi Bhutia; OSD to CM, DB Chettri; OSD, Sikkim State Lottery Directorate, Santosh Pradhan; OSD, IT department, Bum Tshering Yonzon; CA to CM, Urgen Lepcha; Mahendra Subba, along with officials from various departments and members of the general public.

The event is being organised by the Rhenock Tourism Development Society, in collaboration with the Tourism & Civil Aviation department, under the initiative of Chief Minister with the objective of promoting Rhenock as an emerging adventure and community-based tourism destination.

The Paragliding Accuracy Championship, scheduled from January 16 to January 18, has attracted the participation of 62 paragliders from across the country and neighbouring regions, including Nepal, Mizoram, Assam, Meghalaya, Bodoland Territorial Council, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Sikkim, Ladakh, Goa and Arunachal Pradesh.

The championship is being conducted with proper technical equipment, including radio communication systems, navigation devices and adequate safety measures, such as rescue teams and ambulance facilities, ensuring the highest safety standards.

Flights are taking off from two designated locations, Amba Dara and Thumki Dara and are being judged using a 20-centimetre electronic target device, with a minimum of four rounds and a maximum of twelve rounds, depending on weather conditions.

The event is being officiated by the judges from Nepal, Mizoram, Assam, Darjeeling and Sikkim and the winners will be awarded under individual and team categories, with consolation prizes for all female participants, encouraging greater participation of women in adventure sports.

The concluding programme will be held on January 18 and will be attended by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang.