Paragliding event takes off with 29
Ranau: The three-day Borneo Open World Paragliding Accuracy Category 2 took off gracefully with 73-year-old Datuk Tengku Zainal Adlin flying off the hills of Ranau to officiate the event, Thursday.
Some 40 participants signed up but 11 withdrew due to the intrusion in Lahad Datu by armed Filipino terrorists last month.
Adlin, who is also Sabah Tourism Board Chairman, said that the event is a catalyst to expand on Sabah’s eco-tourism appeal.
“This is an event that we want to upgrade to an international level because this area is perfect for paragliding,” he said.
Malaysia’s top paragliding pilot Mohd Amin Ismail agreed. “This is the best training area (Ranau) and Sabah’s landscape is beautiful, so it’s very interesting to paraglide around this area.
“This isn’t an elite sport. Everyone can do. You don’t have to be too athletic.
It’s more of a mental game,” said Amin.
Pilot Ali Ahmad from Qatar shared Amin’s sentiment. “I like this place.
It’s amazing. Nice views and very nice people.”
On the cancellations, Adlin said he sees it as a challenge.
“We understand that the cancellations were made in response to the advisories from their respective countries but it’s ok. We see this as a challenge to push ourselves.”
Forty pilots from six countries were supposed to participate in the event, which ends Saturday (March 30). But 11 last minute cancellations dropped participation down to 29.
Antony Lewis from the United Kingdom said he was not influenced by the incident because of the distance between Lahad Datu and Ranau.
“The incidents are 200km away which is a long way away,” said Antony, who works in Singapore and visits Kota Kinabalu every month.
“I love KK. I think it’s a great city. It’s very happening and full of activities for tourists.
I really want to climb Mt. Kinabalu and then fly down. I’m going to do it this year in October with this team,” he said.
The Borneo Open World Paragliding Accuracy Category 2 is organised by the Malaysia Sport Aviation Federation (MSAF Paragliding), co-organised by the Kinabalu Paragliding Club, sponsored by the Sabah Tourism Board and sanctioned by the Federal Aeronatique International Malaysia Sports Aviation Federation.
Source: Daily Express.
