Slemani — A group of young people from across the Kurdistan Region and Iraq has gathered in Halabja Province to pursue their passion for paragliding while promoting Kurdistan’s natural beauty and tourism potential through aerial exploration.
The initiative brings together athletes from different cities who share a common goal: showcasing the region’s mountains, valleys, and scenic landscapes to a wider audience from the skies above.The movement is centered around the Siamand Paragliding School, which was established nearly a year ago and has since trained 20 pilots. The school has attracted young enthusiasts from various parts of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, turning mountains and open plains into training grounds for the growing sport.Participants say paragliding offers a unique combination of adventure and freedom. Himmat Karim, a young pilot from Duz Khurmatu, said he became the first paraglider from his hometown and described flying as the most exhilarating experience of his life.Another pilot, Soz Hasan, said regular training sessions with fellow athletes help improve flying precision, safety, and overall performance.The team frequently travels to different mountainous areas across the Kurdistan Region in search of suitable locations for training and flight. For their latest activity, the group selected Mount Balambo in Halabja Province, launching from its high summit to soar above the surrounding landscape.According to Siamand Rizgar, supervisor of the Siamand Paragliding School, the group’s ambitions extend beyond sport. He said one of their primary objectives is to introduce Kurdistan’s lesser-known tourist destinations to international audiences.By capturing aerial views of mountains, valleys, and natural attractions, the pilots hope to highlight the region’s tourism potential and encourage more visitors to explore Kurdistan’s diverse landscapes.As adventure sports continue to gain popularity, the young paragliders see their efforts as a way to combine athletic achievement with tourism promotion, offering a new perspective on some of Kurdistan’s most scenic locations.
