ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s ski contingent comprising Noor Mohammad and Shah Hussain of Naltar Ski School clinched top two positions by winning gold and silver medals respectively in the ‘Dream Programme-2013’ held at Gangwon-do in South Korea.

An official press release of the Pakistan Air Force issued on Monday said Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Farhat Hussain Khan, who is also the President of the Ski Federation of Pakistan (SFP), congratulated the athletes who met him here on Monday.

Air Marshal lauded the achievements of the skiers for winning gold and silver medals in the event and hoped that their success would significantly boost the SFP’s ventures in upcoming national and international ski events.

“It shows that we have made huge progress since our joining the Dream Training Programme just two years ago,” he said.

He also acknowledged the contributions and efforts of Embassy of Korea in Pakistan and thanked the South Korean Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Choong-joo Choi, for extending his full support and co-operation in materialising these ski training sessions in Korea.

Later on, the Pakistan skiers also visited the Embassy of Republic of Korea to meet His Excellency Mr Choong-joo Choi who appreciated the outstanding performance of the contingent in Dream Programme — 2013.

‘Dream Programme’ was launched by Gangwon-do which will also be the host of Pyeong Chang 2018 Winter Olympics.

The purpose of the programme is to expand the base of winter sports internationally. Since 2004, the province is inviting young people from countries where winter sports facilities are not fully developed.

This year about 150 participants from 40 different countries participated in the training programme after which the athletes were divided into groups and skiing competitions were held among them.—Agencies