Gulmarg Jan 27: Alpine ski racer, Arif Mohammad Khan, has been selected to represent India at the ‘World Ski Championship’ to be held at Are in Sweden.
The championship shall be held in the first week of February.
A local from Tangmarg area of District Baramulla, Khan has represented India in many international ski racing events all over the globe and this is the 3rd time that he would be representing the country in this particular Ski Championship event. Earlier he represented India in 2013 in World Championship held at Austria and in 2015 in USA.
While Khan has bagged two medals in SAF Games, held at Auli, and has fine performances to his credit from across the globe, he continues to remain a lesser known sports personality here as the state continues to fail this athlete who was never appreciated or rewarded.
Khan will be accompanied by internationally acclaimed skier and former coach of Indian National Skiing team for Winter Olympic, Shabir Ahmad Wani, as coach and Leader. Wani, former Assistant Director, Youth Service and Sports, has also represented the country in Asian and World ski Championships on a number of occasions.
The President, WGAJK, Mohammad Abbas Wani, has expressed his delight for the selection of 6 athletes 2 coaches terming it as a ‘proud moment’ for the state. “The largest contingent of state winter sports athletes are taking part in two major international sporting events this year and this is a moment of great pride for the state,” Wani added.
