National Nordic and Alpine skiing championship begins

DAINIK NATION BUREAU

The three-day national Nordic and Alpine skiing and snow boarding competition began at Auli near Joshimath on Today. Cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal inaugurated the event which is being participated in by teams from the Army, Indo-Tibetan Border (ITBP), Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Uttarahkand.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal appreciated the Olympic Association of India, Uttarakhand Olympic Association, ITBP and the administration for facilitating the organisation of this event. He stressed that the state government was undertaking all necessary efforts to develop an international identity for the snow-sports destination of Auli with its famous skiing slope. The efforts of the State Tourism department and Olympic Association of Uttarakhand would go a long way in securing a place for Auli in the international sphere for winter games.

The Badrinath MLA Mahendra Bhatt thanked the event organizers for the efforts in securing an international identity for Auli. Skiing competitions should be held here every year, he said.

Chief secretary Utpal Kumar Singh said that consistent efforts are being undertaken to encourage adventure sports and tourism. The slope in Auli is good for skiing as per international standards. The State will organise some sports event here every year so that the talent in the state and nation get a chance to grow.

Tourism secretary Dilip Jawalkar said that the three-day competition is being organised on the 1,300 metres long slope at Auli. The 1,100 metre super giant slalom was held on the first day in which Devendra Gurung of the SSB Army team secured first place by finishing in 55.66 seconds. Participants from Himachal Pradesh and SSB Army secured second and third positions respectively. In the women’s category, Sandhya, Anchal and Varsha- all from Himachal Pradesh secured first, second and third positions respectively. In the 15-kilometre cross-country skiing, Man Bahadur Gurung, Ramiz Ahmed and T Hussain- all from SSB Army secured the first, second and third positions respectively. In the women’s category, Babita, Bhawna Kholiya and Parvati Khampa – all from ITBP, secured the first, second and third positions respectively.

The Garhwal commissioner BVRC Purushottam, UOA general secretary DK Singh, public representatives and officials were also present on the occasion. Earlier, ITBP personnel also displayed skiing skills. Apart from a march past by the participants, a colourful cultural programme was also held to mark the inauguration of the event.