Kazakhstan is making history by hosting the first Paragliding World Cup in Central Asia. The event is taking place in the scenic Zhetysu region and has attracted around 150 pilots from 33 countries. Competitors are taking part in the prestigious cross-country flying discipline.
Zhetysu Becomes a Global Paragliding Destination
This week, colorful paragliders are filling the skies above the Zhetysu region in southwestern Kazakhstan. The area has earned a reputation as one of the country’s top flying destinations. Now, the World Cup is placing it firmly on the international paragliding map.
Moreover, the event highlights Kazakhstan’s growing role in adventure tourism and air sports.
Virshki Family Drives the Sport’s Growth
The Virshki family played a key role in bringing the competition to Kazakhstan. For more than 15 years, they have promoted paragliding and helped develop extreme sports across the country.
Igor Virshki founded the Tau Zhetysu tourism complex near the city of Tekeli. Over the years, the site has become one of Kazakhstan’s best-known paragliding locations. As a result, it regularly attracts pilots from around the world.
Meanwhile, his son, David Virshki, has become a world champion in paragliding. He described hosting the World Cup at his hometown flying site as a dream come true.
“It was always my dream to have such an event at my local site because I was born here and learned to fly here,” David Virshki said.
International Experts Back the Venue
Preparations for the World Cup began last year. Before approving the venue, international experts carefully evaluated its flying conditions, safety standards, infrastructure, and organizational capabilities.
According to Goran Dimishkovski, President of the Paragliding World Cup Association, suitable competition sites are difficult to find.
“I’ve been doing this for 30 years and have worked in many places around the world,” he said. “Kazakhstan has the sporting potential, economic potential, and organizational capacity to host major international competitions.”
New Opportunities for Kazakhstan
The successful staging of the event marks an important milestone for Kazakhstan’s tourism and sporting sectors. Furthermore, organizers believe the World Cup will help establish Zhetysu as a permanent destination for international paragliding competitions.
As interest in adventure tourism continues to grow, Kazakhstan hopes this landmark event will attract more athletes and visitors in the years ahead.
