RAWALAKOT: The third National Grass Skiing Championship began on Monday in the breath-taking hilltop in Poonch district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), drawing over a hundred athletes from across Pakistan.

Toli Peer, perched at an altitude of 8,800 feet and located 30 kilometres from Rawalakot, the district headquarters, provides an ideal setting for this unique sport. The event has been organised by the AJK Winter Sports Association and the Pakistan Winter Sports Federation, in collaboration with the AJK tourism and sports departments.

Grass skiing, though relatively new in Pakistan, follows similar techniques to Alpine skiing, with the key difference being the surface — grass instead of snow.

A total of 107 athletes from 14 teams, representing Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, were participating in this year’s championship, including 44 female competitors, according to Aqeel Khurshid, Secretary General of the AJK Winter Sports Association.

Mr Khurshid pointed out that this year’s turnout was a clear indicator of the sport’s rising popularity. He recalled that in the 2nd National Grass Skiing Championship, held two years ago, also in Toli Peer, 72 athletes, including 24 women, from 10 teams had participated.

“The increase in participants this year shows that more people are becoming interested in grass skiing… It’s a testament to the sport’s growing appeal,” he said.

He added that, in addition to the registered competitors, many local amateur athletes were also expected to join the event in significant numbers.

“The first three days of the championship have been reserved for a training camp led by national-level male and female coaches. The camp aims at familiarising participants with the terrain and helping them refine their skills,” he said.

He informed that the final competition races for both men and women would take place over the next two days, offering an exciting showcase of talent.

The AJK Winter Sports Association Secretary General also highlighted the broader significance of the event, noting that it extended beyond just the sport.

“These championships not only foster healthy competition among the youth but also play a crucial role in promoting tourism in the region. We encourage people from across the country to attend, not just for the sports, but to experience the natural beauty and rich culture of Toli Peer.”

The event will conclude on September 28 with a vibrant closing ceremony featuring Kashmiri folk music and songs, where trophies and medals will be awarded to the top teams and standout athletes, he said.

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2024