Valley Sports fraternity aghast over attack

Abid Khan

Srinagar, Mar 3: Like whole sports world, valleys sports fraternity is also shocked over the brutal attack on Srilankan team convoy near Liberty market on their way to Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore in which at least five cricketers of team including captain Mahela Jayawardene and his deputy Kumar Sangakara sustained injuries. The attack also left six security men and two civilians’ dead.
The attack which is first of its kind in whole cricketing world has been received with great shock by the sports fraternity and hard die fans of cricket in valley. There have been terror strikes on the peripheries of cricket, but this is the first time players have been directly targeted and the fans are not able to believe such thing can happen to cricketers who entertain us. The Sri Lankans were on their way to the Gaddafi Stadium when their bus was attacked by five armed terrorists near Liberty market.
JK Ranji teams spearhead pacer, Samiullah Beig termed incident as really unfortunate and said that it will huge loss for Pakistan cricket.
He said, “It is really unfortunate and I have no words to condemn it. It was after huge gap that a single cricket team in whole world came to play cricket in Pakistan and even they were not speared. This incident has left whole cricketing fraternity of valley in trauma as we all love Pakistan cricket.”
“I doubt whether we will be able to see Pakistan cricket stars playing again for next one year or not. If we will see them in action that would be definitely out of Pakistan and now UAE and other neutral venues are their home turfs” he said.
He said since getting news of attack in the morning, he and other of his cricket colleagues are watching news on television and with every breaking news their heart only gets sad.
“Since morning bad news is pouring in one after another. First it was attack then injuries and now the cancellation of match. The latest is that hosting of world cup 2011 will also be snatched from Pakistan and not to think of champion’s trophy.
Former fast bowler of JK ranji team, Abdul Qayoom Bagaw blamed security lapse for the attack.
“It is because of the security lapse, attackers came and got away. Players are the ambassadors of the country and they should have been given highest level of security. Whatever has happened should not have happened. There are no words to condemn this kind of act,” he said.
Joint secretary o J&K Cricket Association which governess cricket in J&K state said that the situation in Pakistan has been tense from last many years but cricketers were never attacked. “This is first time ever and I think it shouldn’t had happened.”
Former all rounder of JK Ranji team and joint secretary of J&K State Sports Council, Abdur Rouf said, “I am “Shocked and dismayed” by the attack on the Sri Lanka team in Pakistan.” It is the worst possible news for cricket and all cricket-loving nations”. “Our sympathies are with all the victims of this terrible attack as the cricket world comes to grips with this shocking news.”
Not only cricketers the various sports bodies of valley have also condemned the attack and expressed their shock on the incident.
“Till now nothing like that sort had happened in the cricketing world and no body would have imagined that the cricketers would be targeted directly. It is unfortunate and sad for sports and we condemn it,” said secretary J&K Sports Development Association, Riyaz Ahmad.
“We think that all kind of sports are on death bed in Pakistan. Pakistani cricket has got huge following in Kashmir and for sometime we have been barred to see our stars playing,” he added.
The most shocked by this incident are the hard die fans of cricket particularly of Pakistan cricket.
“I cannot believe this, since morning I am watching television and with every flash my heart saddens,” said a cricket fan, Irfan of Dalgate.
Another fan Showkat from Jawahar Nagar said that before this attack he was happy that cricket has again started in Pakistan.
“We were happy that cricket is finally back in Pakistan and the triple century by Younis Khan added to our joy. But that has all is gone now with this brutal and condemnable attack” he said.
This shootout on Sri Lankan team could be termed as the saddest episode in the history of cricket. Another such incident took place during Munich Olympics in 1972 when Israeli sportsmen were targeted. This incident has cast heavy doubts on the future of cricket in Pakistan. Touring Pakistan has always been questioned by countries like Australia, New Zealand, England, and South Africa over the last few years. Even India, which had supported Pakistan, showed thumbs down after 26/11 attacks. These attacks have put a stamp on the claims that Pakistan is a dangerous place to tour. God knows if teams would dare to tour Pakistan in the coming times.

Valley girl wins laurel in South Korea

Abid Khan

Srinagar, Mar 3: Syed Haniya Zehra, a young skier of valley, has written a new chapter in the sports history of valley. She won the gold medal in the international ski event held at Pyoengchang in South Korea which was held from February 17 to 26. Haniya, a class 9th student of Mallinson School, participated in Alpine of the championship named as 2009 Dream Pyoengchang. Haniya won gold medal in the event in which 140 skiers from about 29 countries participated. “I cannot express the feeling what I had when I touched the finish line and my timing was judged as best. I was so happy that I jumped in air and made huge shouts, it was instant reaction and I don’t think I will do that again,” she said. Haniya was selected for the event after she won the bronze medal in the junior national championship held at Narkanda in Himachal Pradesh last year. She had won two gold and one silver medals earlier at state level competitions held in Gulmarg. Haniya, who started skiing when she was studying in class five, is being trained by Manzoor Ahmad Ladakhi. Haniya says that Gulmarg has the best quality of snow and slopes but the development facilities are almost nothing. “In Gulmarg, we have got the powdered soft snow which better than what it was in Korea where it is of crystal type. I have been hearing from foreigners about Gulmarg snow being best in the world but in Korea I saw it myself how much different it is really.” “In Gulmarg we need to put on more ski lifts and their should be heavy relaxation for skiers in Gondola. In Korea I saw how the officials treat skiers and the encouragement they get from officials is really heartwarming. They have well maintained slopes and have put ski lifts in huge numbers their” she said. Apart from skiing Haniya has been brilliant in other sports disciplines as well and has represented state in the Kho-Kho national in Orissa. “Skiing is my passion but I am good also in other sports. In Kho-Kho, I have represented state but I give most time to skiing and I think my future lies in it” Haniya says. Father of medalist, Syed Gowhar is all praise to Winter Games Federation of India but don’t have same word of praise for JK body and other sports departments. “After getting selection I went from place to place in valley for getting skiing equipments for Haniya but got refusal from everyone. After the intervention of higher official tourism department gave one pair of ski but that was outdated and was refused by WGFI officials in Delhi. Apart from equipments the cost from Srinagar to Delhi and stay was bared by us from our own pocket no one helped” he said. He said that if same thing goers on and meritorious players are not been supported like what they should get then future of sports is bleak in valley. “Accept Shabir Ahmad Wani who is office bearer of WGFI no one helped my child. If I could not have beared the expenses of my child then she would have achieved what she has” he said.
published in Greater Kashmir on Mar 4: link http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=4_3_2009&ItemID=1&cat=4

KU girls ski course on

Abid Khan

Gulmarg, Mar 1: The Kashmir University girl’s snow ski course is going on in full swing at ski resort Gulmarg these days.In the course 25 girls from different colleges of the valley which include Government Degree College (GDC) Pulwama, Women’s College Ma Road, Women’s College Nawakadal, GDC Handwara, DGC Sopur, Islamia College Srinagar, Physical Education College Ganderbal and different Post graduate department of University are taking part. The participants are under going training in three levels of ski courses, basic, inter-mediate and advance.The 15-day long course started on February 18. At the end of course the annual inter-college ski championship would be held. Training to these participants is being giving by KU skiing coach, Muhammad Yusuf and other two guest instructors. Apart from male coaches team is also accompanied by female coach of department Surjeet Kour. Giving details about the course Muhammad Yusuf said, “It is not first time that KU is organizing the skiing course in Gulmarg. We have been doing it from last two decades and during these years we have produced number of players.”About the girls course he said that it was KU who popularized ski and another adventure sports disciplines among female folk of valley.“Earlier less number of girl students were coming forward for participating in the snow skiing courses and other adventure sports like white water rafting but we continued our efforts and today we receive large of applications for our courses” he said.KU has played a pioneering role in the promotion of adventure sports in valley and they have not popularized skiing in Gulmarg but few years’ back it had initiated skiing in Sonamarg as well, “Three years back we took the initiative of starting skiing in Sonamarg which was grand success” he said.About the present course and the facilities being provided by KU to trainees he said, “ We try to give best of the facilities and food to our trainees and from this year we have also kept departments mini bus available for carrying students to slope and back. It saves lot of energy of students and they give their best during training.”

Published in greater kashmir on March

2: linl : http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=2_3_2009&ItemID=3&cat=4

STAGE SET FOR ‘GULMARG GLOBAL DERBY 2009’

ABID KHAN

Srinagar, Mar 1:The stage is set for the international skiing championship, ‘Gulmarg Global Derby 2009’ which will kick start at the world famous ski resort on Monday.The Tourism Department is organizing the winter sports carnival, to put Gulmarg on the map of international ski circuit. Around 20 top skiers and medalists from all over the country and abroad including Australia, New Zealand and England are arriving to participate in the championship likely to be inaugurated by the chief minister, Omar Abdullah. The event is being sponsored by ESSAR Group. “The motive behind these events is to promote winter tourism in a big way across the world,” director Tourism, Farooq Shah said. “It’ll in fact serve us in two ways: One it will promote Gulmarg internationally and second it will make it popular among the domestic tourists.” Asked why it was named ‘Gulmarg Global Derby 2009’ he said: “The most important constituent of the championship is the ‘Derby Skiing Race’ in which skiers will ski down from 13000 ft high Apharwat range to Gulmarg, 30 foreign skiers and 25 local skiers will take part in the event.”The other events that will feature in the international event are Alpine run super slalom and cross country ski. In alpine run super slalom event, 60 participants will take part while as in cross-country ski event, 70 skiers will participate. He said Gulmarg is fully equipped to organize international events and every measure will be taken to make the event a success. “There is always a scope for up-gradation,” Shah said. “We will do our best to improve facilities there.” He said Gulmarg will be developed into a world-class ski destination in coming years. “Currently it is reckoned as the cheapest destination which helps us to attract more and more skiing lovers,” he said. “In future we will organize bigger events to promote Gulmarg in a big way.” “The reason why skiers from across the world like Gulmarg is the quality of snow here which is best suited to skiing,” he said. “The second phase of cable car gondola which carries a skier to the height of over 13000 ft is an added attraction.”About the snow condition in Gulmarg he said, “Recently there was fresh snowfall in Gulmarg. The higher and lower reaches of Gulmarg are covered with a thick white blanket and the slopes are ideal for skiing. This will help us showcase Kashmir as a big tourist destination”.Apart from main organiser which is ESSAR group, tourism department is coloboarting with winter Games Federation of Indiana and Winter Games Association of J&K in organising the championship.“We are making every effort to make this championhsop a grand success and we are hopefull that it come out as major sucdc4es and after it Gulmarg will be put on the global ski map of world” he said.

Published in greater kashmir on march 2 link : http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=2_3_2009&ItemID=4&cat=4

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

IISM 3rd snow ski course ends

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.

Tourism Deptt to launch ‘Gulmarg Global Derby 2009’

ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Feb 25: In a bid to put Gulmarg on the map of international ski circuit, the Tourism department is organising a winter sports carnival, ‘Gulmarg Global Derby 2009’ from February 1-4. Top skiers from India and abroad including Australia and New Zealand are set to vie for honours in the championship likely to be inaugurated by the chief minister, Omar Abdullah. Twenty top skiers and medal winners from all over India will also take part. Athletes from 13 states from across the country will participate in the rugby event. The championship would be followed by a 3-day national snow-rugby competition from March 6-9. Both the events are being sponsored by ESSAR Group. “The motive behind these events is to promote winter tourism in a big way across the world,” director Tourism, Farooq Shah said. “It’ll in fact serve us in two ways: One it promote Gulmarg internationally and second it will make it popular among the domestic tourists.” Asked why it was named ‘Gulmarg Global Derby 2009’ he said: “The most important constituent of the championship is the ‘Derby Skiing Race’ in which skiers will ski down from 13000 ft high Apharwat range to Gulmarg.” The other events that will feature in the international event are Alpine run super slalom and cross country ski. He said Gulmarg is fully equipped to organize international events and every measure will be taken to make the event a success. “There is always a scope for up-gradation,” Shah said. “We will do our best to improve facilities there.” He said Gulmarg will be developed into a world-class ski destination in coming years. “Currently it is reckoned as the cheapest destination which helps us to attract more and more skiing lovers,” he said. “In future we will organize bigger events to promote Gulmarg in a big way.” “The reason why skiers from across the world like Gulmarg is the quality of snow here which is best suited to skiing,” he said. “The second phase of cable car gondola which carries a skier to the height of over 13000 ft is an added attraction.” Meanwhile Winter Games Association of J&K which is fielding its team in the events has asked all the intended skiers of the state to contact the Adventure Wing of the Tourism department for registration. More details can be had from contacting the cell number 9419707307.

published in greater kashmir on Feb 26 link : http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=26_2_2009&ItemID=7&cat=4