Girls’ ski course concludes at Gulmarg

Abid Khan
Srinagar, Feb 8: The girls’ skiing course organized by the department of Youth Services and Sports concluded at ski resort Gulmarg on Saturday. Sixty students participated in three-tier course designated as basic, inter-mediate and advance for 15 days. All the participants qualified the test successfully and are eligible for the next level now. The advance-level qualifiers can take part in any ski event now.The interest in skiing is growing by the day among students. “There’s a great demand for the course nowadays,” said the trainer, Gul Mustafa. “Though we can accommodate a maximum of sixty students at one time, more students are willing to get the training.”He said the sport was gaining popularity among girls as well. “Because they follow the guidelines carefully, they’re much easier to train,” he said. “All girls were selected after a careful selection process.”He said the department had efficient trainers available and the training schedule was the best. “The training is divided into a pre and post-lunch session lasting three and two hours and half respectively,” he said. “We stress upon the trainees to follow the schedule strictly. Till 4 pm, the ski lifts of the Tourism department remain open and we take their help as well.”The instructors continue their coaching for half an hour after ski lifts are closed. “We continue our training after 4 pm to let them on their own,” said a trainer, Niyaz Ahmad. “By doing hiking daily for half hour, their legs get stronger and they can do skiing in high altitudes as well.”The DYSS organizes courses every winter in collaboration with Jammu Kashmir Tourism Department. The boarding and lodging expenses are borne by the department.The Tourism department provides skis “We have only 35 pair of ski gear and tourism department provides us the rest,” Niyaz said.The deputy director, DYSS, Gulshan Ara, while on her visit to Gulmarg took stock of the situation. Top skiers of Jammu and Kashmir are due to participate in a state-level skiing championship beginning soon.