Srinagar, March 19: The first-ever south Kashmir Ski Championship concluded at Pahalgam on Tuesday. Nearly 50 athletes representing Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam districts took part in the event.
The Championship was organized by Winter Games Association of J&K in collaboration with Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and WS under the auspices of J&K State Sports Council. DFO Forests, Lidder range, Dr. Mehraj Ud Din was Chief Guest at the concluding function.
The first three position winners were awarded medals and all other participants were given participation certificates. The Association presented Mementos to Chief Guest, Range Officer and Medical Officer of JIM, while as JIM&WS presented souvenirs to Chief Guest and some WGAJK on the occasion.
The competitions were held in four categories. In Senior (Men) category Sarjan Ahmad Wani of Anantnag district, Khursheed Ahmad Wani of Anantnag district and Javaid Ahmad Wani of Shopian district secured first three positions respectively.
In Senior Women Category there was only one participant Shazia who was awarded consolation prize. In junior category Rayees Ahmad Shah, Rouf Ahmad Sheikh and Yawar Ahmad Ganai secured first three positions respectively. In Sub-Junior category Faizan Nabi Thokur of Pulwama district won gold medal, Ubaid Ahmad Wani silver medal and Afaan Hussain Malik received bronze medal. All these medallists have qualified for forthcoming State Championship to be held at Gulmarg on 21st March.
In his address President WGAJK, Abass Wani, expressed his gratitude to JIM&WS for supporting the championship very actively. He also thanked Forest Department, Lidder Division, Cable Car Corporation, District Anantnag WGA, Ski Teachers Association of Gulmarg for extending their support to make the endeavour a grand success. General Secretary WGAJK, Muhammad Yusuf said that it was our cherished desire to introduce ski championships in neglected southern districts of Kashmir.
He informed that the Association is holding another championship for northern districts and Srinagar on 21st March at Gulmarg followed by 3rd State Winter Games. The Association is also planning to host Junior National Ski and Snowboarding Championship in first week of April this year.
Notably, the Association held Ladakh Divisional Ski Championship at Drass yesterday which was supported by Drass Brigade, Tourism Department and Youth Services.
The Championship was held in Senior and Junior Categories. In senior category Sajad Hussain, Asgar Ali and Mohammad Ilyas got first three positions respectively, while in junior category Wajahat Mir, Mohammad Mehdi and Asif Ali got first three positions respectively. Medals and certificates were distributed by the Chief Guest Dy. Commandant, 56 Mtn Bdr.
The maiden championship was a huge success with the help of sports lover.
