Srinagar Jan 27: In its Selection Committee meeting held here on Saturday, the Winter Games Association of J&K expressed gratitude to Indian Olympic Association (IOA), New Delhi for selecting five junior winter sports athletes of J&K for their tourney to Russia and another skier to Sweden.
The selection of athletes was made fairly on their merit as per their performance in the last State Championship held in March 2018.
In a statement issued here, WGAJK said: “Four junior alpine skiers, Miss Malaika, Syedah Azha, Shaib Malik, Mir Ahmad and one Snowboarder, Tajamal Farooq are selected by Indian Olympic Association to represent the country in First Children of Asia Winter International Sports Games, to be held in Sakhalin – Russia from 8th to 17th February this year. There are 5 more children from Himachal in the Indian contingent.”
“The team will be accompanied by Hafeeza Hassan as Lady Coach/Leader and Hira Lal as Men Coach. Rakesh Sharma, former IAS officer is Chief de Mission and Roop Chand Negi, President WGAHP would accompany the team as Manager. There are 5 more athletes of Himachal in the Indian Contingent,” reads the statement.
“Notably Hafeeza was a member on first Asian Winter Games held in Japan in mid 1980s and then accompanied Indian teams as Leader/Coach couple of times. She has won many medals at National levels. The team will take part in Slalom and Giant slalom events, while the snowboarder would compete in all events of Hard and Soft Boards. Muhammad Yusuf, Gen. Secretary WGAJK is hopeful that the children will bring home a few medals,” it said.
Meanwhile, the association in its statement wished that the J&K Sports Council and Tourism department must come forward to extend their helping hand to WGAJK.
