In absence of sponsors, the majority of Indian paragliders remain forced cheerleaders and spectators of the paragliding world cup 2018.
The ribbon has been cut to kick off the mega event at Bir Billing of Himachal Pradesh in India. Nature has helped Himachal to make its mark on the world map but the state and central governments have lacked in their efforts to help the sportsmen race in the blue skies.
Government is yet to realize that the home ground will be glorified by assisting the participation of Indian pilots.Billing is dominating the list of paragliding venue. It is the skill of participants which needs to be polished to command the game. Paragliding can boost up the revenue of the state and give India a sport to boast about.
The costly sport needs high-end gliders and other equipment to participate in the competition which makes the majority of our Indian pilot’s mere spectators.
A glider which starts at 3.5 lakhs, the racing harness of around 1.10 lakh, GPS costing 60-70 thousand, a reserve of minimum 50-60 thousand are the primary basics to participate in the sports.
”I have registered my name in the competition but I am not sure if I will get a chance, ”said Shamsher Singh. He is on the back foot, as he could only manage a second-hand glider bought from an international tourist.”The quality of the glider, racing harness and many other things matter to make a decent entry in a competition.
He is a local pilot , who is in love with the particular sports since his childhood. So much so that his only toy was a paraglider made by his own hands from the available plastic bags during his childhood. His love for the sport has touched the pinnacle when he took a flight in a self-made plastic bag glider.
To see himself cherish his dream , Shamsher has made a glider from the plastic bags bought from a grocery shop. In it, he had flown for about four to five minutes. Admiring the love he has for the game and to keep the ardent sport lover alive a foreign tourist gifted him his glider. Shamsher earns his living while living his dream. He has helped Smriti Irani( Politician) and Preity Zinta (Bollywood actress) enjoy the skies of Billing in his glider.
Talking with himachalwire, he said , ” Participating in the competition is a very costly affair. At times I fly tandem eight to nine times a day. I can practice for the competition but participating in it will be a task.If my name will appear in the list , I will have to think of how will I manage the gears ?”
Billing has approximately 200 registered pilots.Out of which only 12-15 might participate. In the absence of sponsors, the ones who might qualify are feeling the heat as well.
Varun who works in the operations, managing the paragliding troops said, ” The priority to participate in the competition is the ranking of the pilot, most of the pilots fly tandem and have less or no experience of the competitions.”
The question to be answered here is that can a person who supports his family by earning 15-20 thousand a month, think of participating in such competitions with a free mind in the absence of the sponsors? The state government should stand in support of these passionate pilots and aid them to glorify the state and the country.
It is the World Cup that this sport is bringing to the tiny hamlet Bir. The venue is important in the international list. Nature has blessed the state. The opportunity is knocking right at the center of the door but only if the state government will realize.
