Powered Paragliding, also known as Paramotoring, has been selected as one of the sports for the Asian Beach Games 2020.

A multi-sport event for Asian nations, the sixth Asian Beach Games 2020 will take place in Sanya, China, from 28 November to 6 December 2020.

The announcement that Paramotoring would take its place in the event was made on 12 March 2019, by Sheik Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, President of the Olympic Council of Asia.

In a letter to FAI President Robert Henderson, Sheik Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah said: “I have great pleasure to inform you that the sport of Powered Paragliding has been officially included in the Sports Programme of the Games.”

By return Mr Henderson said the FAI, “Was looking forward to making this air sports event a success.”

FAI Secretary General Susanne Schoedel added: “The FAI, with its Air Sport Commission for Paramotoring and the Airsports Federation of Asia (AFA) will work to make this a success, together with our Chinese member the Airsports Federation of China (ASFC). Our goal is to ensure safe and fair events.”

Also known as the ABG, the Asian Beach Games are a multi-sport event held every four years with athletes attending from across Asia. They are organised by the Olympic Council of Asia and are the second-largest Asian multi-sport event, after the Asian Games. 

The focus of the Games are sports that can take place on or near the beach. The last Asian Beach Games were held in Vietnam in 2016 and saw 41 Asian nations and more than 2,100 athletes take part.

The Asian Beach Games 2020 will be the sixth edition of the Games. The first was held in Indonesia in 2008, with editions held every two years until 2016, when the decision was made to switch the Games to a four-year cycle.

Paramotoring was part of the Asian Beach Games in 2012 and 2014. 

Paramotoring is particularly suited to the Asian Beach Games because it is an air sport that can be practised low and slow to the ground. Flying from the beach suits the nature of Paramotoring because of the smooth coastal winds and open space. 

Paramotoring competition tasks can involve accuracy and precision events as well as timed speed trials. 

Photo: A member of the Thailand paramotor team at The World Games 2017. Photo: Marcus King / FAI