Dharan. The first-ever Nepal Paragliding Premier League has officially begun in Dharan under the collaboration of the Paragliding and Hanggliding Association and the Nepal Tourism Board. The international event started on Friday at Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City-14 in Morang and will continue until May 11.
The tournament was jointly inaugurated by Koshi Province Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki, Nepal Tourism Board Acting Chief Executive Officer Hikmat Singh Air, and former Deputy Mayor of Dharan Manju Bhandari.
According to event coordinator Bhopal Chyamalud, the competition features the participation of 32 pilots from Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. The opening ceremony was held at the paragliding take-off site in Chhoti Morang, Dharan-4.
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Karki highlighted the immense potential of adventure tourism in Koshi Province. He stated that sports such as paragliding and mountaineering would play a vital role in promoting adventure tourism in the region. He also shared the government’s vision to develop Dharan and surrounding areas as major hubs for paragliding and hanggliding activities.
Karki further announced that the provincial government is preparing to organize more than 10 international sporting events, including paragliding competitions, in coordination with the upcoming Tourism Year and Visit Year campaigns from the next fiscal year onward.
Welcoming the Indian pilots participating in the event, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that the linguistic and cultural ties between Nepal and India, particularly with Sikkim, would further strengthen bilateral relations.
Similarly, Acting CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board, Hikmat Singh Air, said that such adventure sports activities would significantly contribute to tourism promotion in Koshi Province. He noted that paragliding offers breathtaking aerial views of mountains such as Mount Everest, Makalu, and Lhotse, making Nepal an attractive destination for adventure tourists.
He also expressed the Nepal Tourism Board’s commitment to supporting and promoting international-level paragliding competitions in the country.
Former Deputy Mayor Manju Bhandari stated that Chhoti Morang has been identified as a suitable site for paragliding operations following technical assessments. She added that the then municipal executive committee had officially designated the area as an authorized take-off and landing point.
The organizer informed that the competition is being held in five categories, including international open, men’s and women’s divisions, as well as national men’s and women’s events. Medal-winning athletes from the 18th Asian Games are also participating in the tournament.
