India, Philippines quit from Asian Games paragliding

The 2018 Asian Games (Asiad) will only see 18 countries participating in paragliding event after India and the Philippines informed of their withdrawal from the event.

"India and the Philippines have quit Asiad paragliding because their participation had been disapproved by their respective Olympic councils," said Tagor Siagoan, public relations of the Indonesian Aero Sport Federation (FASI), in Cisarua, Puncak, Bogor regency, on Thursday, source Asian Games website.

The 18 countries are: Afghanistan, China, Kuwait, Indonesia, Hong Kong China, IR Iran, Japan, Korea (KOR), Malaysia, Thailand, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Qatar, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Tagor said he was informed by an Indian paragliding pilot, named Vijai Soni, of the decision last Saturday (Aug. 11). "According to Vijai Soni, it is not about funding, but more on doubts about whether [the athletes] could bring home a gold medal," Tagor said.

He said Vijai Soni had expressed his disappointment in being unable to take part in the Asiad paragliding even though they have an opportunity in the cross-country category. "Vijai Soni said India actually had quite an opportunity in the cross-country category as good as Nepal," he said.

Vijai, however, motivated athletes who will compete in the paragliding cross-country category not to give up easily on giants, such as Korea (KOR) and Japan. "The deciding factor is in the sky, not on paper," Vijai said through Tagor. Tagor said Vijai, however, rejected the decision and had lobbied his country's Olympic council to reverse it upon consideration that Nepal, as India's neighboring country, is among the paragliding participants.

"The latest information from Vijai is that India's participation has been reconsidered while awaiting the decision of the Indian Olympic Council today [Thursday], whether to participate in Asiad paragliding or not," he said.