RAWALAKOT: The Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts (GBS) clinched the winners trophy in the men’s category while Pakistan Air Force (PAF) secured the runners-up position in the final competitions of the third National Grass Skiing Championship.

In the women’s category, the trophy went to Chitral Madaklasht while the Adventure Foundation Pakistan (AFP) were runners up.

The championship, which commenced on Sept 23, took place at Toli Peer, a scenic grassy hilltop standing 8,800 feet high in Poonch district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Toli Peer is located 30km from district headquarters Rawalakot, which is also known as Pearl’s Valley. The event was organised by Pakistan Winter Sports Federation and AJK Winter Sports Association in collaboration with the Azad Kashmir tourism and sports departments.

According to the organisers, a total of 107 athletes from 14 clubs — representing different parts and institutions of the country — participated in the competition, including 44 female competitors.

The first three days of the event featured a training camp for both professional and amateur players. Led by expert coaches, the camp saw enthusiastic participation from all the athletes.

In the men’s individual Giant Slalom competition, Zahid Abbas and Mohammad Waqar from GBS won gold and silver medals, finishing in 20.72 minutes and 21.33 minutes, respectively.

Saifullah from PAF secured the bronze with a time of 21.78 minutes.

In the women’s individual Giant Slalom, Muntasha from Chitral Madaklasht clinched the gold medal with a time of 13.67 minutes, while Bushra Javed from AFP took silver (14.31 minutes) and Samana Rahim from PAF secured bronze (14.75 minutes).

In the men’s Parallel Giant Slalom competition, Zahid Abbas and Sajjad Ahmed from GBS claimed the gold and silver medals, while Saifullah from PAF finished in third place, taking home the bronze.

In the women’s Parallel Giant Slalom, Chitral Madaklasht swept the podium with Muntasha, Aziza Gul, and Raisa Feroz winning the gold, silver, and bronze medals, respectively.

In the under-14 boys’ Giant Slalom competition, Salman Khan claimed first place with a time of 12.64 minutes, while Noman Khan and Azhan Haider secured second and third places with times of 14.33 minutes and 25.24 minutes. The same trio repeated their positions in the Parallel Giant Slalom competition.

The competition’s jury included technical delegate Air Cdr (retired) Sohail Naeem, chief of race Air Cdr (retired) Shahid Nadeem, referee Shah Raees, and course chief Sher Afzal.

Mr Nadeem is also vice president of Pakistan Winter Sports Federation as well as president of the AJK Winter Sports Association.

The closing ceremony was held on Saturday, with Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob Khan, former president and prime minister of AJK, as the chief guest. Mr Khan who is also sitting Legislative Assembly member from the PPP, congratulated all participants for the healthy competitions and distributed trophies, medals and cash prizes to the winners.

Prominent among other attendees were AJK’s Additional Chief Secretary Midhat Shahzad, who holds the additional charge of Secretary Tourism and Archaeology, Chairman District Council Poonch Sardar Javed Sharif and AJK Winter Sports Association Secretary General Aqeel Khurshid. However, AJK’s Secretary Sports, Youth, and Culture Tehzeebun Nisa was conspicuous by her absence.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2024