A skydiver lands near the Great Pyramids during Egypt's first ever air sports festival, in Cairo, capital of Egypt, April 28, 2018. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
CAIRO, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Just near Egypt's Great Pyramids, dozens of eager watchers looked skyward to observe skydivers flying over the ancient monuments as a part of Egypt's first ever air sport festival.
The festival, dubbed "Egypt Air Games 2018," is organized by Sky Sports EG Company in cooperation with the Egyptian Air Sports Federation and will last until April 29.
The Giza pyramid complex of ancient monuments includes the three pyramids known as the Great Pyramids, the massive sculpture known as the Great Sphinx, and several ancient cemeteries and smaller pyramids.
Around 65 skydivers and paramotor pilots from at least 20 countries flew above the pyramids of Giza, the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, amid the cheers of fans waiting at the foot of Egypt's iconic site.
"It is a great feeling to see people flying and landing just like a plane. I just wish I could try it," Hamada Ahmed, an event photographer told Xinhua during the festival. The young man said he may think of getting parachuting classes in Egypt since air games have really attracted him.
"It sounds crazy to do such an adventure and jump from an altitude of 8,000 feet, but I guess I will try it," he said.
| A paramotor pilot flies over the Great Pyramids during Egypt's first ever air sports festival, in Cairo, capital of Egypt, April 28, 2018. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) |
Event organizers say one of the goals is to promote air sports among the Egyptians and the young people worldwide since such sports are not well known in Egypt and most of Arab countries.
For the athletes, it has been a great experience not only to participate in such a unique event, but also to fly over the Great Pyramids.
"This is totally different from all my previous jumps. It is really exceptional to fly above the pyramids," skydiver Ahmed Alawy from Oman told Xinhua.
He said air games in Arab countries aren't very popular, adding that such events would help Arab athletes learn from the experiences of their western counterparts.
Alawy, who participated in many air games events in several countries, said this event was well organized and can be a good starter for larger annual festivals.
"The good organization and the location could make this event one of the best all over the world," he added.
A skydiver flies over the Great Pyramids during Egypt's first ever air sports festival, in Cairo, capital of Egypt, April 28, 2018. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
In addition to the air shows, the event also witnessed the largest flag flown by a paramotor in an attempt to break a new record for Guinness World Record.
The festival also meant to promote Egypt's ailing tourism which has suffered over the past few years due to political and security unease.
"The event is an amazing and important advertisement which will promote the name of Egypt and the pyramids across the world," Joel Amiable, a member of a French paramotor and parachuting team participating in the festival, told Xinhua.
The man who flew over natural lakes in Egypt's Fayoum last year said he would invite his French colleagues to come and fly in Egypt for its great diving and flying locations and its good weather.
