The excitement of the Paragliding World Cup has begun in the skies of Çameli

The 2024 Paragliding World Cup, organized in collaboration with the Denizli Governorship, Çameli District Governorship, Çameli Municipality, and South Aegean Development Agency (GEKA), has begun. The championship, which started with an opening ceremony, features 115 athletes from 35 countries, including 100 international participants. Athletes took off one by one from the Air Sports Center on Yaylacık Mountain, which is at an altitude of 2,150 meters. Due to its constantly windy conditions and its rare ability to facilitate flights in four directions, the Yaylacık Paragliding Runway will offer a visual feast in the sky over the 7-day championship, while pilots will showcase their skills.

“We are thrilled to host a World Cup in Çameli”

Çameli Mayor Cengiz Arslan expressed his delight at hosting the World Championship in Çameli, noting that they have brought one of the world's exemplary runways to the district after starting paragliding events 10 years ago. Emphasizing that this success is a team effort, Mayor Arslan said, “This is a team effort. I would like to thank our District Governor and the Regional Forestry Directorate for their support in realizing this project. Our latest project received financial support from the South Aegean Development Agency. Various institutions, including the Regional Forestry Directorate, the Directorate of Youth and Sports, the District Governorship, the Governorship, and the Denizli Metropolitan Municipality, have supported us, and we have now reached a great point. This is one of the best runways in the world. We are thrilled to host a World Cup in Çameli. We hope it will be auspicious. Our flights will continue here for a week. In Çameli skies, there will be 115 athletes, 100 international and 15 local. They can participate in the competition here based on a points system. The athletes have the opportunity to compete here, and we will be hosting the final here for the first time. I thank everyone who contributed. The competition continues at 2,150 meters. There will be significant developments in tourism. Hopefully, we will consolidate that with these competitions,” he said.

“This competition is very important for Çameli”

Ömer İlman, Provincial Director of Youth and Sports, emphasized the importance of the week-long World Cup competitions, saying, “We are at a very important location for paragliding. This competition is very important for Çameli. Our Denizli is involved in all sports areas. With its nature, culture, and suitability for all sports, our province hosts many competitions in every field. In recent years, Çameli has hosted many sports with the development, culture, and nature of the district. We have many events here organized with the Çameli Municipality.”

“Çameli has the infrastructure to host even bigger events”

Paragliding World Cup President Goran Dimishkovski stated, “This story in Turkey began 15 years ago. Over the past 15 years, Çameli has made significant progress in this sport, bringing us to where we are today. Today, we can hold the World Cup here, and it even has the infrastructure to host bigger events.”