16th National Ski Championship from 23rd February, at Naltar Gilgit

ISLAMABAD : As many as 60 players will take part in the 16th National Ski Championship starting from February 23 in Naltar, Gilgit. Ski Federation of Pakistan (SFP) president Shahid Latif told reporters here on Wednesday that 12 teams would fight for top honours in the six-day national event. “The event will be an opportunity for the upcoming skiers to show their skills and excel at national level,” he added.

Shahid said the SFP would also select top players for a training camp after the national championship. “The SFP is focusing on the Winter Olympics 2010. The federation will also hire the services of a foreign coach for the national skiers.” He said the federation was considering hiring a coach from Sweden or Austria. Responding to a question, the SFP chief said the federation had requested Iran, Tajkistan and Turkey to participate in Pakistan’s national competition this year but the said countries refused to participate due to security concerns. He said the SFP was making efforts to establish an international standard ski resort in Naltar.

Source: Daily Times