Szolnok is in the Centre of the Sports World Attention

At the opening ceremony of the 42nd World Military Parachuting Championship Brigadier General László Szabó conveyed the greetings of the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff to the competitors, the sponsors of the event and the invited guests. In his welcoming speech, the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the World Championship highlighted that almost all units and military organisations of the Hungarian Defence Forces were engaged – according to their special field – in the organisation, the preparatory works and the conduct of the competition. General Szabó particularly thanked Slovenia, Germany and the Czechia for the technical assistance and the human resources provided for the duration of the competition.

In his speech Ferenc Szalay, the Mayor of Szolnok emphasised the excellent co-operation between the town and the military units stationing there. As he said, they are honoured and a privileged to be the host of this year’s World’s Parachuting Championship, because Szolnok is not only a military town but also a sports town. Parallel with the military competitions, also the World University Canoe Sprint Championship is taking place on the Dead Tisza.

In closing the opening ceremony, the Secretary General of the Parachuting Division of CISM (Conseil International du Sport Militaire) Colonel Dorah Mamby Koita wished an accident-free and successful contest to the sportsmen of the nations. Following the opening ceremony, the paratroopers made parachute jumps in the helicopter base and in the Szandaszőlős Airport.

The competition begins at 8:30 am, 11th August, and will last until 7 pm, 19th August. The closing and final award ceremony of the world championship starts at 2:30 pm, 20th August, at the Szolnok RepTár, the unique exhibition hall of aviation history of Central-Eastern Europe.

Photos of the author