Pakistan a safe country to host sport events: Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman By. Asghar Ali Mubarak

Pakistan a safe country to host sport events: Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman

 

By. Asghar Ali Mubarak

 

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal President Pakistan Ski Federation Sohail Aman has said that has said that Pakistan is a peaceful and safe country to host elite sports events.“The participation of the ski players from nine different countries is greater importance and it will convey a positive message to the world that Pakistan is a safe country for sports activities,” he said here on other day after distributing prizes among the ski players. The prize distribution ceremony of Chief of Air Staff Karakorum Ski Championship and Malam Jabba International Alpine Ski Cup on other day held at Serene hotel Islamabad. Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail expressed the hope that other teams from abroad will visit Pakistan in near future.“The members of the visiting skiing teams after their return to their country will help in creating a better and positive image of Pakistan which is a safe country for sports activities,” he asserted.He congratulated the sponsors for holding the mega events first time in the history of Pakistan. The Pakistan Ski Federation considers it a milestone achievement that the International Ski Federation has approved 16 international events for Pakistan, which would not only promote soft image of Pakistan in the world but also earn revenue and boost tourism. The  Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, Air Marshal Asad Lodhi, President Ski Federation of Pakistan (SFP)and CEO Serena Hotel Mr. Aziz Boolani were present  along with other dignities like Ukraine Ambasdar to Pakistan  H.E. VOLOYMYR LAKOMOV, Barzilian Ambasdar to Pakistan H.E. Claudio Raja Gabaglia Lins .At this occasion the CEO Serena Hotel Mr. Aziz Boolani said ‘’Sports impact a plethora of public arenas, coincide with community values and reaffirm key social values for athletes especially but also the spectators’’ ,the Serena hotel is proud to be associated with numerous sports initiatives which promote wellbeing and inclusion through healthy activities. Mr. Aziz Boolani, CEO of Serena Hotels, said, “Sports Diplomacy is an integral part of Serena’s efforts to build stronger relations with communities. Sports bring people together and participation in sports helping improving leadership, teamwork, and communication skills along with promoting a healthier lifestyle.Earlier the international Skiers dominated the CAS Karakoram Ski championship played at Malam Jabba, Swat. The championship was shifted from Naltar Ski Resort to Malam Jabba. International Skiers from Morocco, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Greece, Afghanistan, Turkey, Ukraine and Tajikistan participated in the CAS Karakoram Ski Championship. Jan Jakubco of Slovakia got 1st position in 1st race of Men’s Slalom category while Vasyle Telychuk of Ukraine remained 2nd. Pakistan’s Olympian Muhammad Karim remained 3rd in the race.In the 2nd race of the same category both Ukrainians Ivan Kovbasnyuk and Vasyle Telychuk got 1st and 2nd positions respectively. The 3rd position was again bagged by Pakistan’s talented skier Muhammad Karim. In the Women Slalom category, Ukrainian skier Tetyana Tikun got 1st position while Pakistani skiers Ifra Wali and Fatima Sohail secured 2nd and 3rd position in the 1st race of this category. In the 2nd race of same category, both Ukraine athletesTetyana Tikun and Anastasia Gorbunova got the 1st and 2nd positions. Pakistani international skier Ifra Wali had a wonderful race and remained 3rd.In the 1st race of Women Giant Slalom category, both Ukraine athletes Tetyana Tikun and Anastasia Gorbunova got the 1st and 2nd positions. Pakistani young talented skier Fatima Sohail had a wonderful race and remained 3rd.Several International Skiers from various countries including Morocco, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Greece, Afghanistan, Turkey, Ukraine and Tajikistan along with Pakistani skiers participated in both men and women categories of these events. The complete results of the both events are given below:Malam Jabba International Alpine Ski Cup Men’s Categories, category Giant Slalom-I, Ivan Kovbasnyuk (Ukraine), Jan Jakubco (Slovakia), Vasyle Telychuk (Ukraine) got 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.
In category Giant Slalom-II, Jan Jakubco (Slovakia), Ivan Kovbasnyuk (Ukraine), Vasyle Telychuk (Ukraine) declared 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively.
In category Slalom-I, Jan Jakubco (Slovakia), Ivan Kovbasnyuk (Ukraine), Vasyle Telychuk (Ukraine) while category Slalom-II, Jan Jakubco (Slovakia), Ivan Kovbasnyuk (Ukraine), Vasyle Telychuk (Ukraine) got positions respectively.In Women’s Categories Giant Slalom-I, Tetyana Tikun (Ukraine), Anastasia Gorbunova (Ukraine), Ifra Wali (Pakistan) while category Giant Slalom-II, Tetyana Tikun (Ukraine), Anastasia Gorbunova (Ukraine), Ifra Wali (Pakistan) got positions respectively.In category Slalom-I, Ifra Wali (Pakistan), Fatima Sohail (Pakistan), Zainab Sohail (Pakistan) while in Slalom-II, Tetyana Tikun (Ukraine), Anastasia Gorbunova (Ukraine), Ifra Wali (Pakistan) got 1st, 2nd and 3rd potions respectively.In CAS Karakorum Ski Championship:
Men’s Categories Giant Slalom-I, Jan Jakubco (Slovakia), Ivan Kovbasnyuk (Ukraine) and Muhammad Karim (Pakistan) while Giant Slalom-II category Jan Jakubco (Slovakia), Ivan Kovbasnyuk (Ukraine), Vasyle Telychuk (Ukraine) and in Slalom-I Jan Jakubco (Slovakia), Vasyle Telychuk (Ukraine), Muhammad Karim (Pakistan) and Slalom-II, Ivan Kovbasnyuk (Ukraine), Vasyle Telychuk (Ukraine), Muhammad Karim (Pakistan) got 1st, 2nd and 3rd position respectively.In Women’s Categories Giant Slalom-I, Tetyana Tikun (Ukraine), Anastasia Gorbunova (Ukraine), Fatima Sohail (Pakistan) while Giant Slalom-II, Tetyana Tikun (Ukraine), Anastasia Gorbunova (Ukraine), Umamma Wali (Pakistan) and Slalom-I, Tetyana Tikun (Ukraine), Ifra Wali (Pakistan), Fatima Sohail (Pakistan) and in Slalom-II, Tetyana Tikun (Ukraine), Anastasia Gorbunova (Ukraine), Ifra Wali (Pakistan) got 1st, 2nd and 3rd position respectively.The chief guest awarded medals and cash prizes to the winning ski players.The government of Pakistan and Ski Federation of Pakistan under the auspices of Pakistan Air Force decided to bring the exciting winter sport back to the scenic resort after a successful operation against the extremists in the valley.All sports activities were ceased due to the military operation against these anti state elements.The resumption of ski activities would not only boost the tourism in the region but also portray the positive image of Pakistan on the international canvas. Making history in the field of skiing in Pakistan, the first international ski championship — Alpine International Cup Malam Jabba at Gilgit-Baltistan.The Ski Federation after sending two international skiers namely Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Karim to Vancouver, Canada Olympics and Sochi, Russia winter Olympics in 2010 and 2014 respectively started efforts to get its ski slopes in Malam Jabba and Naltar the international status for Federation of International Ski (FIS) races.In 2016, the FIS experts after visiting Pakistan approved both the slopes for international competitions besides approving two international races at Naltar.Soon after the approval, the Pakistan Ski Federation arranged Chief of Air Staff International Karakoram Ski Cup 2016 at Naltar in which Turkey sent its six international skiers. After the successful arrangement of the two international races, the international federation approved 16 races eight each for men and women in both the slopes – Malam Jabba and Naltar.

Leading European and Asian skiers were invited for the two international events. It is worth mentioning that Malam Jabba will witness these international competitions after 12 years as skiing activities under qualified experts had almost been ended at Malam Jabba for the last 12 years when the prolonged wave of militancy affected every segment of life in the scenic Swat valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Only local ski activities under the local administration are being held in a limited manner. Earlier, for the preparations slopes heavy machinery was applied for pressing the snow and making world class arrangements for the events. Around two kilometer long Naltar Ski Slope which was having all basic facilities like chairlift, snow pressing machine, time devices and other important tools. Proper accommodation for the international players arranged at Naltar. More than 20 ski associations and departments from across the country, including Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy, Higher Education Commission, Civil Aviation Authority, Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts and others participated in the national championship. For the international event Skiers from some nine countries participated in the event. Winter sports observers believe that these events will open new avenues for promotion of the winter sports in Pakistan. Although skiing is in its initial stages in Pakistan, there are various skiing spots in Gilgit Baltistan offers a number of skiing spots for tourists. Some of the fine skiing destinations in Pakistan include Naltar in Gilgit, Burzil, Ratu and Astore. However of all the destinations Malam Jabba some 300 kilometers from Islamabad offers excellent skiing opportunities. Located on the border to Afghanistan, Malam Jabba is about 300 kilometers from Islamabad. It takes about six hours by road to reach Malam Jabba. You can also take Pakistan Airways flight from Islamabad to reach Saidu Sharif, which is about 45 kilometers away from Malam Jabba.Malam Jabba Skiing resort is located in the Swat valley in the North West Frontier Province. Accommodation is available at the Swat Valley. Malam Jabba offers wonderful opportunity for skiing, the scenery is stunning, where snow capped peaks seem kissing the azure sky on a clear day.The other two well known skiing destinations in Pakistan are Nalter and Nathiagali. Nalter lies in the Gilgit Karakoram range and is one of the oldest skiing resorts in Pakistan. Before embarking on a journey to Nalter, it is essential to find out more about the skiing resort as it belongs to the Pakistan Air Force and prior permission may require. Nathiagali is located at an elevation of some 8000 feet in the Himalayas. Accommodation and proper infrastructure may be difficult to find. Pakistan is a wonderful place to tour and ski on the powdery slopes of skiing resorts in Malam Jabba. Situated some 40km away from Gilgit, the Naltar Valley is home to all skiing activity in Pakistan. They say skiing comes naturally to almost every girl, boy, man and even housewives in Naltar. Most Naltaris cannot afford the expensive ski kits available in the market and many thus tend to carve their own kits from wood chopped from the pine forests nearby. On these same home-made wooden skis trained Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Karim; the duo represented Pakistan in the Vancouver (Canada) and Sochi (Russia) winter Olympics respectively. Abbas’ homemade wooden kit is presently displayed in a Canadian museum. Skiing is as much a tradition in Naltar as it is an identity.

The chairlifts therefore are part of the Ski Federation of Pakistan’s (SFP) endeavours to harness Naltari passion and develop Naltar as a world-class skiing resort in Pakistan, equipped with facilities and amenities that are comparable with any winter sport destination across the globe. They have been brought to Pakistan with the help of Swiss and Chinese experts. Naltari ski chairlifts are now the only operational ones in Pakistan for winter games purposes; there used to be another one in Malam Jabba (some 40km from Saidu Sharif), but it fell victim to terrorism. Three chairlifts also operate in Muree, Patraiata, and Ayyubia, but those are only for tourism purposes and not for skiing or any other winter games purpose.Pakistan Air Force (PAF), who operate a base camp in Naltar initiated various welfare projects for the children of Naltar, including free education and ski training. With Naltar already boasting an indigenous ski-making cottage industry, the idea was to deliver a facility where international competitions. It was felt at the time that all the basic requirements of the Federation de International Skiing (FIS), such as a ski slope, snow pressing machines, and ski chairlifts should are available at Naltar’s ski resort. Tourism experts in the country are attaching great importance to the ski chairlifts in the promotion of skiing and increasing tourism to Pakistan, especially to Gilgit Baltistan. Many argue that due to the law and order situation in the country, Pakistani sport lost almost all international competitions despite the abundance of great talent. But this situation can be reversed through Naltar’s ski resort.Then there are problems with communication and lodging facilities. Mr Salman, director of a private group, Sports Management Islamabad, contends that the tourism department should attract investors to construct lodging facilities. “Organizations such as the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) or the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), who have their own ski teams and take special interest in Naltar, should build resorts and motels to accommodate tourists,” he argues. Meanwhile, authorities in Gilgit Baltistan are excited about the follow-on benefit of the ski chairlifts and other facilities. “Not only can winter sports thrive but summer ski sports such as grass skiing and roller skating can also be promoted,” says SFP’s Javed, who also serves as an office bearer of the Alpine Club of Pakistan. “I have no two opinions about this, but to say that sooner or later, Pakistan will be a major player in the field of winter games across the world.”