Ranau best paragliding spot
Published on: Saturday, March 25, 2017
Ranau: The district has the potential to become a hub for aerial sport tourism due to having a paragliding flight platform which is sought after in this sport in terms of topography, the quantity of wind and the height when compared to other paragliding sites across Malaysia.Malaysian Sport Aviation Federation (MSAF) President, Capt. Mohd Arif Ibrahim, said paragliding is an event that is not well known in Malaysia but popular in other countries such as in Europe and neighbouring countries such as Indonesia and Thailand. "Looking at the gliding site in Ranau, is like heaven to fans and players of the sport in Malaysia because only in Ranau can a paraglider glide in the air every day, except when the weather is rainy," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
With the advantages of terrain in the beautiful mountains and being constantly windy makes Ranau a favourite pick for the paragliding league that was recently organised, namely the 2017 SABAH RANPACX ACCURACY and XC tournament.The tournament started in Ranau, and would be followed by Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor (28-30 April), Kota Putera Terengganu (12-16 May), Jugra, Selangor (28-30 July), Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor (26 to 27 August ), Pedas, Negeri Sembilan (16-17 September) and ends at Gunung Jerai, Kedah (19-21 October). The paragliding league is held as a way to select national athletes to represent the country to compete in the Asian Games next year.Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai, said when speaking at the closing ceremony of the tournament, said the paragliding site in Ranau had become part of the tourism product in Ranau, thus indirectly increase the state's as well as district's income sources.
ADVERTISEMENT
He promised to help develop the Ranau Paragliding site in terms of infrastructure through the Tourism Ministry since paragliding has become a branch of the many tourism products in Sabah.He added that the Ministry together with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment will support the sport until it becomes a contributor to the national economy through sports tourism.
ADVERTISEMENT
Meanwhile, Nadia Wafa, aged 28 a paragliding athlete who hails from Selangor chose to practice in Ranau for a month before the next match in Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor.She decided to come to Ranau as the training ground due to the uniqueness of the mountain winds in the area, especially in the Ranau Sports Complex paragliding site, that is always blowing enables her to glide in the air every day, and this gives her an edge to enhance her skills.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
