JEDDAH, 24 August 2004 — Saudi Arabia is among 19 countries taking part in the 4th Jeddah International Championship for Skydiving being held here from Dec. 7-17. The championship will include a competition on accuracy landing and a formation contest. Super Poma 212 aircraft will be used in the competition.
Each participating country-delegation will comprise 13 persons, including judges and five jumpers each for the formation team and for the accuracy landing team. Participating countries i9nlcude Oman, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, the UAE, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Philippines, Spain, Brazil, South Korea, Russia, India and Portugal.
The first winners will get the Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed Cup for the formation and golden medals plus a cash prize. The second and third winners will get silver and bronze medals respectively, plus cash prizes, Ahmed Mualla, manager at the championship general secretariat, told Arab News yesterday.
The first three winners in the individual competition will receive shields and cash prizes. The championship general secretariat has set Sept. 14 as the last date for receiving responses from participants. Skydiving and parachuting is among the many activities of the Saudi Aviation Club (SAC). It is a thrill seeker’s activity that has many active members across the Kingdom.
Saudi Parachuting Association (SPA) also has an ongoing plan for organizing diving schools. Prince Majeed has been supporting the skydiving sport from 1994. The first Prince Abdul Majeed Arabian Championship for parachuting was held here in July 2001. “Information is offered on training, the type of equipment used, staff qualifications, etc.,” he said, adding that no organization rates the relative safety of skydiving schools. “However, centers must pledge to follow SPA basic safety requirements including providing training by only SPA-rated instructors, and using SPA-required equipment,” he added.
Established in 2000, the SAV is dedicated to the development of a variety of aviation activities including paragliding. They are dedicated to promoting it as a safe and enjoyable sport for experienced and new para gliders. Currently, there are two sites in the Kingdom where para gliders can practice their sport — Assoda near Abha in the Asir region, in the southwest, and Al Hada near Taif, southeast of Makkah and Jeddah.
SAC, which is looking for instructors who can develop this sport, has announced the launch of its website: [email protected]
