Paragliders during a training session at Al Faya Mountain in Sharjah. WAM

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), have launched ‘Sky Adventures’, the first official paragliding licenced centre in the UAE, and Shurooq’s latest investment in sports, leisure and adventure tourism in Sharjah’s central region.

The centre will be open to the audience next Monday, offering aerosports enthusiasts an unforgettable opportunity to experience the picturesque desert landscapes of Sharjah’s Central Region area from the skies, as well as attract investment and provide new locations for local businesses.

The ‘Sky Adventures’ offers three exciting packages and membership options that appeal to different kinds of adventure seekers.

These include tandem paragliding with experienced professionals, a comprehensive, expert-led course to learn how to paraglide on your own and get international paragliding licence, and guided flights for licensed paragliders who want to experience the majesty of floating above the desert landscape while accumulating flight time.
Dignitaries pose for a group photo at the event in Sharjah.

The new adventure was announced, on Thursday at the central Region of Sharjah, in the presence of Sheikh Khalid Bin Isam Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation in Sharjah (DCA);  Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Mualla; Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq); Mohammed Yousuf Abdul Rahman, General Secretary of EAF;  Nasser Hamouda Al Neyadi, President of EAF;  Yousef Hassan Al Hammadi, Vice-President of EAF;  Khalid Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Tourism and Commerce Development Authority (SCTDA); and  Eisa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman Of Sharjah Sports Council.

Sheikh Khalid Bin Isam Al Qassimi, Chairman of the DCA, said: “At the DCA, we were keen to introduce legislation, systems, and criteria to ensure the centre meets the highest paragliding safety standards that align with our belief in security and quality in all of our operations and strategies that seek to achieve ideal investment opportunities, drive the sustainable development process and protect people in line with the directives of the wise Leadership. We are confident that “Shurooq” will be dedicated to offering a unique experience in which aerosports enthusiasts, paragliding in particular, will enjoy this thrilling adventure.”
A paraglider during a training session at Al Faya Mountain.

Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Acting Chief Executive Officer of “Shurooq” remarked on the newly announced licensed training centre, saying: “Our portfolio of destinations and activities continues to expand as we aim to drive investment in various sectors of Sharjah. The new ‘Sky Adventures’, which will be open to the public next Monday, is one among them, providing a thrilling and unique experience for adventure seekers. Visitors will have the chance to see Sharjah from an entirely different perspective. It represents a great opportunity to promote growth and investment in the tourism and adventure sector.”

“We would like to thank the DCA in Sharjah for their efforts in enacting legislation that ensures the centre meets the highest safety standards. At “Shurooq”, we are dedicated to developing diverse projects and experiences in all of Sharjah’s regions, and we chose Al Faya Mountain in the central region, given its importance in attracting paragliders. It will appeal to both local and international visitors, while supporting the growth of local businesses and promoting the Emirate’s tourism landscape,” he added.

Eisa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman Of Sharjah Sports Council, commended  the inauguration of the Sky Adventures, which is a remarkable achievement by “Shurooq”, stating: “The centre will enable adventure and aerosports seekers to paraglide and get official international licences. Besides, it will host paragliding championships and tournaments from the UAE and the region, which cements Sharjah’s position at the international level and supports the sports and adventure tourism sector in the emirate. It will encourage the public to play sports and at the same time explore those stunning regions, and we look forward to increasing the number of paragliders and fostering a sport-culture in Sharjah through this centre.”
Paragliders during a training session at Al Faya Mountain in Sharjah. WAM

Nasser Hamouda Al Neyadi, President of EAF, said: “We are delighted to announce the first official paragliding licenced centre in the UAE, at Al Faya Mountain in Sharjah’s central region, because it is one of the most ideal destinations for paragliding, and I would like to thank all entities that contributed to the success of this centre, namely, the sharjah investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Department of Civil Aviation in Sharjah, and Sharjah Tourism and Commerce Development Authority.”

Khalid Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, said: “Under the vision and directives of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the emirate has elevated tourist attractions through bolstering cultural tourism, ecotourism, and sports and adventure tourism. Sharjah has been successful in furthering its remarkable achievements and significant milestones, bolstering its leading status among world’s cities. Moreover, it has contributed to driving the inclusive development process that plays a key role in sustaining vibrant key sectors and supporting the national economy.