Kathmandu, November 07, 2017.
The Consulate of the Kingdom of Morocco to Nepal felicitated the world renowned skydiver and skydiving instructor from the Kingdom of Morocco, Mr. Anas Bekkali. Mr. Bekkali is an internationally renowned young, enthusiastic and professional skydiver, who has already performed over 7,000 jumps internationally. The Everest Skydive was founded and launched on October 26, 2008.
Mr. Bekkali successfully jumped twice from the height of 23,000 ft. of the Mt. Everest on November 3rd and 4th this year. He dedicated the jump of November 3rd to the event on the occasion of Green March Day of his country and the 4th to raise awareness on cancer disease. Diving from 23,000 ft height carrying the biggest Moroccan flag of 10′ x 10′ size was one of the rare adventures. Mr. Bekkali, who has participated in 5 world records also jumped with a Moroccan flag from 18,000 ft on 6th of November, 2016 in Dubai to mark the Green March Day.
Also being felicitated during the programme include the 13 skydivers of the Everest Skydive, 2017 from different countries including the USA, New Zealand, England, France, Scotland and Saudi Arabia. The team includes the world record holders, world guineas record holder with 21,000 jumps, world record holder high altitude poly athlete and a world Champion Freestyle Skydivers.
Those being felicitated were : Ms. Sujeeta Shahi: (A Nepali war journalist; a skydiver and member of special force commando assigned for underground mission, currently in Germany.), Mr. Tom Noonan: (World Record Holder US Citizen, Tandem Programme Director; Founder member of the Everest Skydive), Mrs. Wendy Smith: (A New Zealand citizen, Woman World Guinness record holder with 21,000 jumps and an extreme jump performer), Mr. Omar Alhegelan: (World Champion Free style skydiver from Saudi Arabia, World Air Games Freestyle World champion recognized by IOC, founder member of the Everest Skydive and one of the pioneers in “Free flying”.) Mr. Paul Henry de Baere: (a World record holder high altitude athlete and a video/camera flyer from France), Dr. Ryan Jackson: (A british skydiver; a Tandem Instrnctor; Camera flyer pilot and a medical doctor), Mr. Ted Atkins: (A Scottish citizen, Chief ‘Oxygeneer’ for the Everest Skydive, who has also summated the Mt. Everest several times), Mr. Greg Rau: (A US citizen and a professional Skydiver cum Sr. Parachute Rigger), Mr. Ross Maxwell: (A New Zealand citizen; mountaineer to North & South Pole; fixed wing & a helicopter pilot; professional skydiver in New Zealand.), Mr. Matthew Yount: (A professional Chicago, US record holder skydiver with over 13,000 solo jumps and over 10,000 Tandems.) Mr. Bibek Pandey: (An initiator of Skydiving; who has been involved in the Everest skydives since the beginning.), Mr. Navin Gurung: (The founder, president of the Sahara, UK; founder member and advisor to NRN, UK, founder coordinator of support Nepal-UK and the pivotal person behind these whole programme.)
All of them were felicitated jointly by the Chief Guest, Hon’ble Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr. Jeetendra Narayan Dev, Honorary Consul General of the Kingdom of Morocco to Nepal, Mr. Basant K. Chaudhary and the guest of honor, the Minister Counselor and Deputy Chief of Mission, at Moroccan Embassy Mr. Hassane Alaoui Mostefi.
They were offered a plaque of appreciation, black Nepali cap and a garland.
The programme witnessed Kumari dance and the audio/visual show on the skydiving activities and the team.
While welcoming the gathering, the Honorary Consul General of the Kingdom of Morocco to Nepal, Mr. Basant K. Chaudhary expressed his profound happiness for being able to felicitate such a band of most brave hearts including a Moroccan citizen, Mr. Anas Bekkali, Mr. Chaudhary appreciated the whole Everest Skydive team for adding new attractions in Nepal’s tourism field.
Mr. Tom Noonan and Ms. Wendy Smith shared their experiences gained during the skydiving in Mt. Everest.
Mr. Anas Bekkali, Mr. Navin Gurung, Mr. Nava Raj Dahal and Mr. Santa Bir Lama also spoke on the importance of such events that ultimately promote Nepal’s adventure tourism in a newer height.
Addressing the function, the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr. Jeetendra Narayan Dev reiterated his commitment to extend all possible supports for the upliftment of adventure and sports tourism that ultimately help flourish entire tourism field in Nepal.
The programme was concluded with the vote of thanks from the DCM, Mr. Hassane Alaoui Mostefi.
