Srinagar 19 March: The First South Kashmir Ski Championship concluded at Pahalgam today. Nearly 50 athletes representing Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam districts took part in this mega 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 on 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 the 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 Distt, Khursheed Ahmad Wani of Anantnag Distt and Javaid Ahmad Wani of Shopian District got first three positions respectively.
In Senior Women Category there was only one participant Miss Shazia who was awarded Consolation prize. In Junior category Rayees Ahmad Shah, Rouf Ahmad Sheikh and Yawar Ahmad Ganai got first three positions respectively.In Sub-Junior category Faizan Nabi Thokur of Pulwama Distt got gold medal, Ubaid Ahmad Wani got silver medal and Afaan Hussain Malik got bronze medal. All these medalists have qualified for forthcoming State Championship to be at Gulmarg on 21st.
In his address the President WGAJK Abass Wani expressed his gratitude to JIM&WS for supporting the championship very actively. He also thanked Forest Deptt, Lidder Division, Cable Car Corporation, District Anantnag WGA, Ski Teachers Association of Gulmarg for extending their support to make the endeavor 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 Deptt and Youth Services The Championship was held in Senior and Junior Categories. In Senior category Sajad Hussain, Asgar Ali and Mohd. Ilyas got first three position respectively, while in Junior category Wajahat Mir, Mohd 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.