FAI is delighted to be part of this year’s SportAccord Convention in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Convention, at which the Federation is proud to share a booth with its partner Red Bull Air Race, is an excellent place for FAI to exhibit its air sports activities in Asia – a big growth area for a number of FAI disciplines.

FAI President Frits Brink said: “We are delighted to be taking part in the SportAccord Convention 2018, alongside our partner Red Bull Air Race.

“This unique and exclusive event is a great opportunity for the Federation to share its passion for air sports and introduce its fantastic range of activities to a new audience in Asia, a region in which air sports such as drone racing and paragliding are becoming increasingly popular.”

The aims of the SportAccord Convention include to drive positive change on an international level and to connect organisations involved in the development of sport around that world.

FAI representatives, including Frits Brink, will therefore be able to create and strengthen links with more than 100 International Sports Federations.

Frits Brink said: “We are looking forward to this chance to both demonstrate what FAI does, and to learn more about the activities of other sporting federations.”

It will also be an opportunity for the Federation to showcase the many thrilling competitions planned in Asia, which is set to be the location for some of 2018’s biggest air sports events.

These include four contests of the multi-event FAI Drone Racing World Cup 2018, as well as the first edition of the FAI World Drone Racing Championships, which will take place in Shenzhen, China from 1 to 4 November 2018.

The Red Bull Air Race, an FAI World Championship followed by millions of fans, will also touch down in Chiba, Japan later this year, while the Asian Games will include paragliding for the first time in its 67-year history.

Looking further ahead, the Federation will also use the convention to share information about and generate support for its multi-discipline flagship event, the World Air Games.

Last held in 2015 in Dubai, this adrenaline-fuelled combination of elite competition and spectacular air shows is expected to attract some 3,000 of the world’s top air sports athletes to Turkey in September 2020.

Frits Brink said: “Air sports are booming in this part of the world, and there are lots of exciting FAI events coming up in Asia, both in 2018 and over the next few years.

“Highlights include the Asian Games 2018, which will take place in Jakarta – Palembang from August 18 to September 2, and the 1st FAI World Drone Racing Championship in Shenzhen, China from 1 to 4 November 2018, which promises to be an epic event.

“We are looking forward to seeing many of the new friends we make at SportAccord Convention at these events.”