IISM 3rd snow ski course ends

we promote Gulmarg as ultimate adventure sport destination in India

Abid Khan

Srinagar, Feb 28: The 3rd snow skiing course of Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering (IISM) concluded at Gulmarg on Friday.40 skiers participated in the event which included 19 local, and 21 from outside state. During course participants were imparted training by IISM instructors in three levels of ski that is basic, intermediate and advance. The local participants included 15 students of Gandhi Memorial College. Valleys international pacer who is currently part of Indian Cricket League, Abid Nabi also was part of the Gandhi Memorial College in the course. On the final day of course examinations of all participants in all the three levels were held. Later in the day prize distribution ceremony was held in which former financial advisor to J&K State Government, GM Khan was chief guest.Thanking all the participants for showing continued trust in the IISM, Principal IISM, KA Mir said, “It is great to see students coming back after having first stint of course with our institute. The return of students give us much needed boost to upgrade our services and infrastructure and that is what we have been doing all these years.”He assured participants who comprised both local and outside that from next year they would be in the new building of institute.He said, “From next year I promise you that we will be organize our courses from our own building which is almost ready. In the month of April we are planning to commission state of the art new institute building that has got all the facilities of adventure sports under one roof.”On the occasion he also said that the institute requires services of more instructors as the present instructors find it very tough to train everyone themselves.“We have got highly experienced instructors like Tariq who have been doing wonderful job from last more than decade. But in order to satisfy all the students we need more instructors for our institute” he said.Speaking on the occasion GM Khan who was chief guest on the occasion said, “It is good to know that the institute which is a national level institute of winter and adventure sports is going to commission its state of the art new building which is equipped with all facilities for participants and tourists under one roof. Apart from that IISM has its own snow beaters, skidoos and worth millions of latest skiing, snow boarding equipment which includes suites, shoes and goggles.”He said that adventure sports play an important role in the promotion of tourism in any state and for that these types of institutes play pivotal role.“Having worked as financial advisor in the government, I know how much important role does adventure sports plays in the promotion of tourism. In the countries were tourist influx is high adventure sports like skiing, rock climbing, trekking, water rafting are the major attractions. In that perspective I think IISM is playing major role by promoting valleys adventure sports throughout India,” he said.On the occasion one of the outside participant, Narinder of Mumbai who had come along with his whole family thanked IISM for the facilities and the care they provided during course.He said,“ I have been coming here from last five years to have skiing with IISM and this year I have come along with my whole family. Valley and its people are really nice and we never had any feeling of fear.”“Last year my friend who had been to almost every part of world had fear of this place because of the disturbances that is going here from last many year. But after my insistence he came here and you will not believe it that in the same year he visited thrice here. He liked it so much and said to me that in the whole world Kashmir is the best place to be in,” he said.In the basic technique course, Gazanfar, Sajad Ahmad and Bazif Rasool bagged first positions respectively while as in basic, slalom course, Yaseenulhassan, Yasir Ahmad and hafiz Nadeem bagged first three positions respectively.In the inter-mediate technique course, Rishi Jayesh of Mumbai bagged first postion while as Mushtaq Ahmad Dar and Junifer Jan bagged second and third places respectively. In inter-mediate, slalom course, Irzan Kounsar, Junifer Jan and Rishi Jayesh bagged first three positions respectively.In Advance, technique course, Manish Rana of Delhi bagged first positions while as Tahir Shafi and Abdul Manan bagged second and third positions respectively. In advance, slalom course, Tahir Shafi Gandhi Memorial College bagged first position while as Abdul Manan and Rizwanulhaq bagged second and third places respectively.It was third course of the institute in the season and the fourth course is scheduled to start from Tuesday.

Published in Greater Kashmir on March 1-2009 .link : http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=1_3_2009&ItemID=3&cat=4