PAF Ski School renamed after Group Captain Shah Khan
Gilgit, February 14: Pakistan Air Force won the National Ski Championship here on Wednesday while Shah Khan Ski Cup was clinched by Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts.
Both the skiing events were held at Naltar, the PAF ski resort. Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff and Patron-in-Chief Skiing Federation of Pakistan (SFP) was the chief guest at the occasion.
A total of 46 athletes representing nine teams participated in the two events. The competing teams were Sindh, KPK, Gilgit-Baltistan, Army, PAF, GB Scouts, Civil Aviation, HEC and Alpine Club.
The Air chief, speaking on the occasion, announced the renaming of PAF Ski School, Naltar after Group Captain (Retd) Shah Khan.
Group Captain (Retd) Shah Khan, who fought the liberation movement against Dogras, was the pioneer of skiing in Pakistan. The SFP started the Shah Khan Ski Cup in 2006 which is being held annually ever since.
“It is a matter of tremendous pride for every Pakistani that the green flag has been hoisted in two consecutive Winter Olympics,” said Tahir.
“Skiing is a sport of developed nations and we being a developing country rejoice this moment when a young skier from Naltar area is participating in the Winter Olympics this year.”
National Ski Championship results:
Slalom — M Abbas (PAF) gold, M Iqbal (Army) silver, Nk Mir Nawaz (GBS) bronze.
Giant slalom — M Iqbal (Army) gold, M Abbas (PAF) silver, Tariq Azam (PAF) bronze PAF won the trophy.
